Mysterious ‘new’ sighting of missing teen, 16, spotted on CCTV heading into woods six days ago as thousands join search
THERE has been a mysterious “new” sighting of a missing teen who was last spotted on CCTV heading into the woods six days ago.
James Gibbons, 16, vanished from the Kent village of Cuxton on Saturday.
Cops combed through hours of CCTV to see the schoolboy walk down an alleyway at 12.52pm shortly before entering Cuxton Woods that same day.
Concerned family and friends have not heard from James since.
But a suspected fresh sighting of him on Thursday has now been reported to Kent Police.
In a police appeal on Facebook, one woman noted seeing James on a high street just a 28 minute drive away from where CCTV last picked him up.
She commented: “Hello, not 100 per cent [but] I think I just saw him in Welling High Street between 3.45pm and 4pm.
“I’m not sure if he is medically unwell, tired, or drunk, but he was swaying a little bit.
“He was also wearing a flat cap.”
It comes as hundreds of volunteers scour wooded areas with cops and Kent Search & Rescue, in the hopes of finding James.
A ‘Help find James Gibbons’ group on Facebook has also been set up – with around 4,000 people joining to offer support or possible sightings.
Large banners and posters have also been put up in the village.
A local shopkeeper told KentOnline: “The whole village has been looking or helping in some way. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed.
“On Sunday, I saw a lot of people searching and officers in the woods. Ever since they’ve been here all week.
“We’re all doing what we can but sometimes you feel helpless.”
James is believed to have been wearing brown tracksuit bottoms, black socks, black trainers and a grey Hollister hooded pullover.
Underneath he wore a white shirt with a light brown and blue chequered pattern.
He is described as being around 5ft11 with brown hair and braces on his teeth.
James also has a scar on the right-hand side of the back of his head which is similar in shape to a question mark.
Chief Inspector Garry Cook previously said: “We are continuing our search for James and have a number of specialist teams on the ground.
“We are also using expertise from partner agencies and volunteers from Kent Search and Rescue.
“Officers now know James walked along the alleyway towards Cuxton Woods and we are now seeking more sightings.
“I’d like to once again urge residents with private CCTV and drivers with dashcam to check for footage that may show him after 1pm on Saturday November 9.
“Our searches have included rural and wooded areas around the village.
“We are asking dog walkers, hikers and horse riders to continue looking out for James.
“Anyone who sees anything they think may be relevant is urged to call us urgently.”
People with information should call cops on 999, quoting reference 09-1043.