MARK KEHOE Tom the cat was killed and mutilated

Ginger and white coloured Tom was killed as he strolled around a neighbour’s garden in the middle of the night in affluent Westerham, near Sevenoaks, Kent. It is thought that 13-year-old Tom was hit over the head and then, while he lay dead or dying, his tail was cut off and his throat was slit before he was ritualistically laid out on the neighbour’s lawn. Since the attack on October 20 Tom’s elderly owners, who wish to be known as Pauline and Anthony, have been traumatised and concerned for the safety of their other cat Ben.

Pauline, 74, said: “The public have little idea how dangerous and sinister this sick, horrible man is. He must be caught soon, otherwise he will continue killing animals. “We believe he is so disturbed he could soon start killing people.” The retired couple live in a secluded street lined by multi-million pound homes and went to bed after putting Tom out at 10pm. They had no idea that the killer of at least 150 cats had targeted the area and was hiding in bushes in the neighbour’s garden.

MARK KEHOE Tom was killed as he strolled around a neighbour’s garden in the middle of the night

Anthony, 76, said: “Our home is hidden away in a quiet area and we certainly didn’t expect this killer to be lurking about in the shadows in the dead of night. Tom was a friendly cat who trusted people.

He seems to be getting bolder and is more intent on seeking a shock reaction Tony Jenkins

"We know that this man killed him in next door’s garden and then waited there for about 20 minutes before cutting off his tail, cutting his throat and laying him out. He was there for a long time, which is very troubling. “What sort of person could do this to an innocent, lovely cat? We want more people to be aware that he is still out there and unless he is caught he will certainly go on killing. He must be stopped.”

GRAPHIC CONTENT: Worst cases of animal cruelty Mon, November 28, 2016 WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: As part of our new 'STOP THE CRUELTY' campaign we take a look at some of the most horrific cases animal cruelty. Play slideshow PA 1 of 32 Handout photo issued by the Orangutan Foundation of Aan, a critically-endangered orangutan who was blinded after being shot more than 100 times with an air rifle. Aan is to undergo an operation that could restore her sight.

The killer initially started off in Croydon, south London, but has struck in Manchester, Birmingham and London. Despite a £10,000 reward police are no nearer catching him. An animal-loving couple, Tony Jenkins, 52, and Boudicca Rising, 45, have set up SNARL, the South Norwood Animal Rescue Liberty, to try and catch him. Tony believes he is becoming even more dangerous, saying: “He is killing three to four cats a week now. He also seems to be getting bolder and is more intent on seeking a shock reaction. “At Halloween we think he was responsible for killing a cat at Southend in Essex. After doing what he does, he put the poor animal on a war memorial purely for the shock value.

MARK KEHOE Since the attack, Tom’s elderly owners have been traumatised