Armed police swoop in search for double murder suspect

Police searching for a man linked to four murders in north Yorkshire have raided two addresses in Selby, the BBC has reported today.

Acting on information, armed police raided an address in New Millgate at around 3am and then swooped on a house in Abbots Road around two hours later.

North Yorkshire police are attempting to trace Mark Richard Hobson, 34, who lived at an address in Millfield Drive, Camblesforth, near Selby. He is wanted in connection with the murders of 27-year-old twins, Claire and Diane Sanderson, in Selby, and the murders of retired couple James and Joan Britton in Strensall.

The bodies of the sisters were found by police on Sunday morning after they were called to Mr Hobson's residence in Millfield Drive. Claire Sanderson had been Mr Hobson's girlfriend.

Post mortem examinations revealed that Diane died as a result of strangulation and had sustained a number of injuries to her body. An initial post mortem examination on Claire Sanderson has not yet determined the cause of death, but police confirmed that she had been subjected to a "violent assault".

The bodies of 80-year-old James Britton and his 82-year-old wife Joan were found in the downstairs of their home in Strensall Road, Strensall, on Sunday morning – two hours after the bodies of the Sanderson sisters were discovered.

Post mortem examinations have established that Mr Britton died as result of stab wounds. He had also sustained other injuries as a result of a severe beating. Mrs Britton had also been subjected to a vicious assault including stab wounds, but the initial result of the post mortem has not yet established exact cause of death.

Police described the couple as "frail and harmless" who had lived in the area for many years.

Speaking at a Press conference in York yesterday, Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Javad Ali, said that they had not established any previous association between the Brittons and the Sandersons.

However, there were possible sightings of a man whose description is similar to that of Mark Hobson in the Strensall area at 9.15 that Sunday morning.

“This together with other evidence recovered from both scenes indicates that the two incidents may well be linked," Det Sup Ali said.

Deputy Chief Constable Roger Baker said: “Murders are very rare in North Yorkshire and to have two double murders like this, is unheard of. Let me make it clear that we are doing everything we can to find the person or persons responsible for these two horrific incidents as quickly and safely as possible.

“To that end, it is imperative that we find Mark Hobson and I am personally asking for your help and the help of the public to find him.”

Mr Hobson is described as white, 5’ 9” tall, slim build, with a shaven, balding head and with a two-inch scar above his left eye. When last seen he was wearing a coffee coloured jacket, white T-shirt and blue jeans.

Police have warned that Mr Hobson may pose a risk to members of the public and people are strongly advised not to approach him.

If anyone knows of Mr Hobson's whereabouts they are asked to contact the Incident Room on 01904 669651 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

(gmcg)