GUILTY UK - Colin Dunford, 81, & Julie Davison, 50, murdered, North Yorkshire, April 2012

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Police launch huge manhunt after two brutal murders in victims' own homes 25 miles apart
A huge police manhunt is underway tonight following the separate murders of a 50-year-old woman and an 81-year-old man in their own homes.

More than 100 officers are now involved in the search for James Allen, 35, following the deaths of Colin Dunford, in Middlesbrough, on Monday, and Julie Davison, in Whitby, North Yorkshire, yesterday.

Detectives have described the killings as 'two brutal murders in the victims' own homes'.
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Earlier today, detectives in Whitby described how Ms Davison was found dead by her sister at her flat on Church Square. She had suffered serious head injuries.
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Mr Dunford was found dead at his home on Leven Street, in Middlesbrough, on Monday.

A post mortem examination showed he also suffered serious head injuries as a result of a significant assault.

On Tuesday, police in Middlesbrough said the man now known to be Mr Dunford was found dead at his terraced house after he failed to appear at his favourite club.
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much more, with pictures, at Daily Mail link above

Man sought over Middlesbrough and Whitby murders (BBC)

Man Sought Over 'Brutal' Double Murders (Sky News w/video)

Police hunt double murder suspect (Guardian)

Catch the beast: 100 cops in manhunt for sex attacker after two “horrendous” murders 24 miles apart (Mirror)
 
Looks like the manhunt's still ongoing as of 5 a.m. in England. Whitby, the site of the second body discovered, is directly north of London and five hours away - one has to jog a bit west to pick up the quickest route. I wonder where this alleged killer has gone to ground - or if he's taken himself out of the country entirely by now. Shocking case - here in the U.S. it's a bit par for the course, but a brutal double murder - apparently both victims selected at random - in a single English county - yikes. Not an everyday occurrence and the suspect looks like a bad bit of business. Hope all are safe behind locked doors in the UK.
 
From the Mirror link above:
The killings – 24 miles apart in Middlesbrough and Whitby, North Yorks – came within a period of three days.

Detectives tonight linked the inquiry to reports of sexual assaults on two women in Cleveland over the weekend.
This guy's out of control. More will die unless he's caught quickly.
 
Local source the Yorkshire Post has its story just up:

Huge manhunt after two found brutally killed in their homes
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Whitby resident Julie Davison was found dead by her sister in the flat where she lived alone in Church Square, behind Royal Crescent, at 12.40pm on Wednesday.

Detectives said a man with an “unkempt appearance” and wearing a baseball cap, was seen riding a dark coloured mountain bike near Ms Davison’s flat at around 6.30 that morning.
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Last night North Yorkshire Police and Cleveland Police issued a joint appeal in a bid to find Allen and warned members of the public not to approach the man, who is bald with tattoos on both arms.
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Cleveland Police said Allen, who is 5ft 7in tall and previously known to the force, has spent a number of years living in the North West and recently moved to Middlesbrough.
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more at link above
 
Still uncaught and it's afternoon in England. Worried that someone, somewhere, is lying dead while Allen holes up in their digs, still escaping capture.

New element in the case:

James Allen double murder manhunt: Suspect 'knew first victim' (BBC)

So at least one killing might be described as not perfectly at random. The pensioner referred to above apparently did not know the second victim, so a link there with Allen has not been established. Praying they catch this guy. Extremely dangerous. The link between the two murders was the mountain bike, allegedly of Allen's, seen outside the residences of both of the victims.

Telegraph nails it down a bit further: Alleged double killer James Allen is former next-door neighbour of victim, police reveal
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Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang, Head of Crime Operations for Cleveland Police said: “There have been a number of sightings of James Allen in both Force areas, which are being followed up, and a huge amount of activity has gone on overnight to find him. This is a 24/7 operation that will not stop until we locate and arrest him.

“Allen knew Colin Dunford. He lived next door to him on Leven Street about a year ago, although at this stage we do not believe that he knew Julie Davison.

“We also believe that Allen may have been involved in a number of other offences, and these potential links are currently being investigated. He is known to police and he has a history of committing violent offences."

He said the motive for the murders was "unclear", and urged people in the area to keep their door and windows locked.
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Oh god this is just horrible,I hope they find him soon and no one else is harmed
 
Police in Scarborough have searched the town’s railway station in the hunt for double murder suspect James Allen.

Officers swarmed the station tonight and are patrolling outside the Allerton Croft Hotel, in West Square, where Allen, 35, stayed on Wednesday night.
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Another police van was parked in Hanover Road, with officers believed to be taking evidence from the hotel and pictures of buildings.
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Allen was also reportedly seen in Lord Rosebery’s pub, in Westborough, on Wednesday, just hours after Mrs Davison’s death.
http://www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk/news/local/police-swarm-scarborough-in-manhunt-1-4494725
 
A bit of background on Mr Allen, from the Daily Echo:

Wanted man has attacked before
THE man police are hunting following the violent deaths of two people in the north of England stabbed a man four times during a terrifying burglary in Hampshire nine years ago.

Drug user James Allen attacked Brian Butt after forcing his way into his flat in Winchester with an accomplice.

Allen, 35, who is from Blackpool, was jailed for eight years for the attack.
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In 2003 Allen forced his way into Mr Butt’s flat in Staple Gardens, kicking and punching him into submission. Southampton Crown Court heard Mr Butt’s head was pushed into the sofa and he felt what he thought were four punches to his back and side. In fact they were stab wounds delivered by Allen.

Allen was arrested nearly a fortnight later, asking police: “Please tell me, is he dead or not?”
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After the hearing Mr Butt told the Daily Echo that he thought he was going to die.
more at the link above
 
I think this guy was caught this morning, thank goodness! Nobody else appears to be hurt.
 
Yes, just had a Google alert in my email upon arising this a.m. Good job LE. Taken down before he could kill more, knock on wood for luck that he didn't and they just haven't found a body yet. True life term for him, no parole, methinks.
 
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Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom said: "An off-duty officer travelling to work this morning saw a man fitting the description of James Allen on Crown Point Road in Leeds.

"They called for colleagues in support who arrived quickly and an arrest was made. We would like to thank all members of the community who have been contacting us to assist in this matter."
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/apr/29/james-allen-arrested-leeds-manhunt?newsfeed=true

Leeds is about 90 miles SW of the Whitby murder, the second discovered.
 

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