Don't call me a hero

Derek North, 78, realised immediately that it was Hobson when the 34-year-old, who was wanted for questioning in connection with the murders of twin sisters and an elderly couple in North Yorkshire, walked into his garage yesterday.

But he said today: "There was nothing brave about it. I had to do something."

He was back behind the till at the garage this morning, despite the presence of many newspaper and TV reporters and several police officers.

Mr North said Hobson used loose change to buy matches, cigarette papers and a bottle of water at his garage on the A19, north of the village of Shipton-by-Beningbrough, near York.

Robin Wilson, the owner of Oakdale Upholstery next door, had also spotted Hobson, and confirmed the sighting with Mr North before phoning the police.

"We decided between us it was him," said Mr North, who has run the garage for 46 years.

"I recognised him straight away with his earring, his hair, his nose and his scar. He looked very tired, as if he had been sleeping out, which obviously he had. I rather think he was about ready to give himself up. I'm delighted we were able to do something."

The pensioner, who believes Hobson may have been sleeping rough behind the upholstery store, said he was not frightened by the experience, despite waiting about 25 minutes for police to arrive. He revealed that he kept a Second World War axe behind the counter "for protection", adding: "I can look after myself."

Police today confirmed that Hobson was being treated at Harrogate District Hospital for dehydration and minor abrasions.

It was believed Hobson was being kept in a cordoned area of the hospital, with four police standing guard.

Police would not say if he had yet been interviewed, but a spokesman confirmed they had not yet charged him with any offences.

Commenting on the impact Hobson's admittance had made on the hospital and its patients, a spokeswoman for Harrogate Health Care NHS Trust said: "We're just carrying on as normal, and staff are carrying out their work in a professional manner."

Hobson is expected to be taken to Harrogate Police Station to be quizzed over the murders after he is released from hospital.

The spokeswoman hinted that Hobson was likely to be in hospital all day, as a further statement was being issued on his condition at about 5.30pm. It is believed Hobson is being kept in a cordoned-off area of the hospital, with four police standing guard.

Phone calls from Mr North and a member of the public brought dozens of officers - some armed - racing to fields alongside the A19 near Shipton-by-Beningbrough.

They arrested him on suspicion of murdering 27-year-old twin sisters Claire and Diane Sanderson, at Camblesforth, near Selby, and pensioners James and Joan Britton, at Strensall, near York, and he was taken to a police station for questioning.

Detectives had been wanting to question the divorced father-of-three since the bodies of his girlfriend, Claire, and her sister, Diane, were found early last Sunday in Claire's flat at Camblesforth, and those of Mr and Mrs Britton were discovered hours later in their home just outside Strensall.

Evening Press reporters and photographers were the first on the scene after the arrest. A reliable source said Hobson had given himself up quietly and not attempted to resist arrest.

"He looked like he had spent a couple of days sleeping rough and he obviously looked tired and dishevelled," he said.

"His clothes were bloodstained on both his upper and lower body. The blood was dried and matted."

It is understood that Mr North, who is married with two children, made one of two 999 calls to police, while another was made by two customers.

The customers, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke exclusively to the Evening Press about the dramatic moment when they first saw Hobson.

"He had been in the garage shop," said one. "We were waiting for petrol. He looked really rough. His face was drawn. He had lots of stubble and he looked as if he had the world on his shoulders. He was walking with a skulk."

The customers said Hobson was wearing cream canvas trousers that were particularly dirty at the back, and a canvas jacket, possibly charcoal in colour.

"He looked at our car as he was walking past, and there was almost a grin-like expression on his face.

"He looked like the pictures I had seen of him in the newspaper, but his hair was slightly longer.

"Mr North came over to us and said to us that he thought he looked like Hobson, and we watched him walking away from the garage towards York. He was carrying a water bottle.

"He had only gone a short way when he turned round and looked at us and saw we were watching. Then he went over the hedge. It looked as if he was making a break for it.

"We dialled 999 on our mobile, and we saw Mr North running back to his house to phone the police."

Mr North, who is married and a father-of-two, is a well-known and respected figure in the community and is believed to have lived in the village all his life.

Regular garage customer Trevor Hainsworth and his wife, Anne, pulled into the forecourt of the filling station to fill up with diesel just as the police arrived to arrest Hobson.

"Mrs North came running out and said: 'We have got him'," said Mr Hainsworth. "Mr North said he recognised him straight away."

Deputy Chief Constable Roger Baker and Detective Superintendent Javad Ali confirmed to a press conference in York that Hobson had been arrested.

Mr Baker said: "Following a police operation at 3.43pm this afternoon, I can announce that 34-year-old Mark Hobson has been found and arrested.

"As a result of a call from the public, he was found in a field at Shipton-by-Beningbrough on the A19 and arrested by North Yorkshire Police officers on suspicion of murdering Claire and Diane Sanderson and James and Joan Britton.

"As a result of Mr Hobson's arrest, legal proceedings are now active in this inquiry.

"I would, however, like to record our most sincere thanks to the public for the magnificent help and support they have given to the police. I also wish to thank the media for their understanding and assistance."

Mr Ali said: "The thoughts of all of us are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives."

Village in shock: Page 3

Earlier manhunts that shocked us all: Page 13

Updated: 13:33 Monday, July 26, 2004