Double murder suspect held in Leeds

THE man named by police as a suspect in the murders of two people found beaten to death in their own homes was arrested today in Leeds.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Apr 2012, 13:32 BST

James Allen, 36, was arrested in south Leeds at 7.20am on suspicion of murder in connection with the deaths of Colin Dunford, in Middlesbrough, and Julie Davison, in Whitby.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said Allen was arrested in Crown Point Road after an off-duty officer saw a man fitting his description.

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Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom, of West Yorkshire Police, 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.”

West Yorkshire Police joined the search after Allen was seen on CCTV footage walking along Harehills Lane in Leeds at 2.41pm on Friday.

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The murder investigation was launched after the death of 81-year-old Mr Dunford, who was found dead at his terraced house in Leven Street, Middlesbrough, on Monday.

A post-mortem examination on Mr Dunford, who was last seen alive at around 5pm last Sunday, showed he had suffered serious head injuries as a result of a significant assault.

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

Ms Davison, 50, who lived alone, was found dead by her sister at her rented flat in Church Square on Wednesday. She had also suffered serious head injuries, police said.

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Allen, who is originally from Blackpool, is believed to have known Mr Dunford when he lived next door to him in Leven Street about a year ago but it is not thought Allen knew Ms Davison.

Police linked the two deaths on Thursday, with more than 100 detectives from Cleveland and North Yorkshire working on the case, and West Yorkshire Police joined the hunt after sightings of the suspect were reported in Leeds on Friday.

Yesterday, police also released CCTV images taken of Allen in Scarborough during the week.

The pictures showed Allen in a cash exchange in the seaside town on Tuesday and Wednesday and in a sports shop on Wednesday.