27/07/2004

Police begin questioning multiple murder suspect

Police have begun questioning multiple murder suspect Mark Hobson after he was released from hospital earlier today.

Mark Hobson, the man whom police were seeking in connection with four murders in northern England, was arrested on Sunday afternoon. Following his arrest he was taken to Harrogate District Hospital where he received treatment for a stomach injury and the effects of dehydration.

A spokesperson for Harrogate District Hospital said that Mr Hobson had made good progress. Questioning will now begin as Mr Hobson has been deemed "medically fit".

North Yorkshire police had been trying to trace the 34-year-old former binman for a week prior to his arrest. He was 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.

Acting on a tip off, detectives found Mr Hobson in a field in Shipton-by-Beningbrough at 3.43pm on Sunday afternoon. He was arrested on suspicion of murdering Claire and Diane Sanderson and James and Joan Britton, North Yorkshire police confirmed.

The bodies of the Sanderson sisters were found by police on July 18 after they were called to Mr Hobson's residence in Camblesforth, in Selby. Claire Sanderson had been Mr Hobson's girlfriend.

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 July 18 – two hours after the bodies of the Sanderson sisters were discovered.

At a press conference at Fulford Road Police Station, York, Deputy Chief Constable Roger Baker paid tribute to the public for their "magnificent help".

He added: “Finally, I would like to say that the thoughts of all of us are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives.”

(gmcg)

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26 July 2004
Tip off leads to capture of multiple murder suspect
Mark Hobson, the man whom police were seeking in connection with four murders in northern England, has been arrested. North Yorkshire police had been trying to trace the 34-year-old former binman for a week prior to his arrest.
21 July 2004
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.
28 July 2004
Police questioning murder suspect granted extension
Police holding murder suspect Mark Hobson have been given more time to continue their questioning. Mr Hobson was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of murdering 27-year-old twins, Claire and Diane Sanderson in Selby, and the murders of retired couple James and Joan Britton in Strensall.
30 July 2004
Multiple murder accused appears in court
A 34-year-old man has been appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court this morning charged with the murders of four people in north Yorkshire. Mark Hobson has been charged with the murders of 27-year-old twins, Claire and Diane Sanderson. He is accused of killing his girlfriend Claire Sanderson on July 7, and her sister Diane on July 17.
18 April 2005
Ex-binman confesses to four murders
A former binman has today pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court to the murder of his girlfriend, her twin sister and an elderly couple. Mark Hobson, 35, from Selby, North Yorkshire, admitted murdering his girlfriend Claire Sanderson, her sister Diane, both 27, and James Britton and his wife, both in their eighties, in July last year.