Double killer manhunt after woman’s body found in Whitby flat

More than 100 officers are now involved in the search for 35-year-old James Allen following the deaths of 81-year-old Colin Dunford, in Middlesbrough on Monday, and Julie Davison, 50, in Whitby yesterday.

Detectives have described the killings as “two brutal murders in the victims’ own homes”.

Cleveland Police and North Yorkshire Police issued a joint appeal to find Allen after officers linked the two murders.

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.

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.

Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang, head of crime operations for Cleveland Police, said: “We now believe the Middlesbrough murder is linked to the murder that took place in Whitby yesterday.

“Two brutal murders in the victims’ own homes.

“Anyone who can carry out such callous acts needs to be caught as a matter of urgency.

“We have over 100 officers working on the incident to trace Allen and we are focusing our efforts in Cleveland and in the Whitby area of North Yorkshire.

“Anyone who sees him or who knows where he is, we would ask them to contact 999 immediately.”

A Cleveland Police spokesman said Allen is known to police and advised anyone who comes into contact with him not to approach him.

He is described as 5ft 7in, with a bald head and tattoos on both arms.

Earlier, detectives in Whitby said they do not know why Ms Davison was killed.

Although born in the seaside town, she only moved back to the resort from Lancashire last year.

Speaking near the cordoned-off scene, Detective Chief Inspector Kerrin Smith, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “This was brutal murder of a lady who lived on her own and the motive behind it is unknown at this moment but we are exploring all possibilities.

“She lived alone. I’m not aware of a partner in her life.

“She came back to Whitby in 2011 and had been living there for just over a year.

“She was found with head injuries serious enough to cause her death.”

Mr Smith said Ms Davison rented the property from a housing association. He added that the area, which is on Whitby’s West Cliff, was not known as a particularly bad area for crime and anti-social behaviour.

North Yorkshire Police said Ms Davison’s body was found at 12.40pm yesterday.

Officers said they wanted a man with dark-coloured mountain bike to come forward.

He was seen in the square by the flats at around 6.30am yesterday morning.

Mr Smith said Ms Davison left a grown-up son.

The scene remained sealed off this afternoon.

There was a large police presence, with four vehicles parked behind the cordon, including a mobile office.

The property, a red-brick building converted into flats, is opposite the Church of St Hilda.

It is in an area of bed-and-breakfasts and guest houses.

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.

Locals said the dead man was a daily visitor to the Samuelsons Working Mans Club directly opposite his home, which was cordoned off and guarded by police.

It was believed that when Mr Dunford was not seen at the club where he often ate his evening meal, members became worried and the police were called.

Detectives said there was no sign of forced entry at the house.

The detective said the dead man was last seen alive at around 5pm on Sunday.

Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Mr Dunford.