Give yourself up

Detectives played a pre-recorded message from Sandra Hobson to her son, Mark - the man they want to speak to about the murders of twin sisters near Selby and an elderly couple at Strensall, near York.

A packed press conference in York heard her say: "Mark, the best thing you can do is to contact the police, if not the police then a solicitor or someone who can help you."

Police also confirmed that they had evidence "positively linking" the two murder scenes.

Det Supt Javad Ali confirmed Claire Sanderson, 27, had died days before her twin sister, Diane, and the last confirmed sighting of her was on July 2.

Her body was difficult to identify because of "decomposition".

Mr Ali said 34-year-old Hobson was last seen walking along Wigginton Road, York, on Sunday at 2am, and his mother last saw him on "Saturday or Sunday".

He said there had been a "a vast number" of calls from the public, with 300 potential sightings of Hobson.

But police have still been unable to establish any link between the Sandersons and the Brittons.

Forensic examinations will continue at both scenes until "at least" the weekend and potentially into early next week.

Mr Ali said they had recovered the cars belonging to Hobson and Diane Sanderson near the murder scene in Camblesforth.

Police said two community meetings would take place at Strensall and Camblesforth tonight, involving local groups.

The two women arrested in connection with the inquiry, but not directly connected to the murders, have been released on police bail.

Mr Ali appealed to members of the criminal fraternity to come forward with any information about Hobson's whereabouts, in confidence if necessary.

Earlier, a close friend of the Sanderson family said that Claire was murdered several days before her and Diane's bodies were found on Sunday in a one-bedroom flat, in Camblesforth.

She said that Diane was then lured to the flat on Saturday night by the killer on the pretence that Claire was very ill - and then she, too, was murdered.

Mr Ali said police knew Diane was alive on Saturday because she was seen by relatives.

Claire's boss, Rigid Containers site director Steve Roche, today confirmed that Claire had not been at work since Friday July 2 - 18 days ago.

He said: "We attempted to get in touch with her but we couldn't make contact with her."

Friends of Hobson described his unpredictable nature.

A man who lives in Alma Terrace, Selby, said Hobson used to live above him in a flat.

He said: "He was OK to talk to but he had his off days. One minute he would be OK and the next minute he would just blow up, shouting and swearing on the street, especially when he had been drinking.

"He was a regular in the Golden Lion pub across the road. When he turned, he could be very nasty."

A long-time friend of Hobson said he drank up to 20 cans of lager a day and had a tempestuous relationship with Claire.

She said Hobson, a miner's son and former bouncer, could turn violent after drink.

She said that Claire's parents, George and Jacqueline Sanderson, did not approve of the relationship.

Villagers in Cawood reported massive police activity yesterday evening, involving a large number of officers in protective clothing and a helicopter overhead.

Helen Cliffe, of Cawood, said a relative had seen police on the road between Cawood and Kelfield. "A friend told him that a jogger on the Cawood-Kelfield road had been told by police to go home."

Claire had been known to go back to stay at her parents' home, in East Cowick, after being hurt by Hobson.

Another source said that when Claire went to visit her parents, Hobson would sit in the car outside.

Police officers in an unmarked vehicle were on watch outside the Sanderson family home in East Cowick, near Snaith, yesterday.

A resident of the quiet village said that news of the murders had "put the jitters up" him.

"I haven't felt this worried since the Yorkshire Ripper 20 years ago," he said

A neighbour of the family, who lived in a bungalow in Back Lane, said that the individual responsible for the killings should be "hung, drawn and quartered".

She described Diane, who still lived with her parents, as a "very lovely girl".

She added: "I don't think the family liked him (Hobson)."

Anyone with information should phone police on 01904 66965.

Updated: 11:39 Thursday, July 22, 2004