Double murder suspect stayed at Scarborough hotel (From Gazette & Herald)

Double murder suspect stayed at Scarborough hotel

7:13am Saturday 28th April 2012 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

DOUBLE murder suspect James Allen stayed for a night at a Scarborough hotel, police have revealed.

Allen was booked in at the Allerton Croft Hotel in West Square for two nights but only stayed there for one night on Wednesday.

Whitby mother-of-one Julie Davison, 50, was found by her sister with serious head injuries at her flat in Church Square in the West Cliff area of the town on Wednesday.

Police have revealed that Allen used to live next door to the other victim, 81-year-old Colin Dunford in Leven Street, Middlesbrough, who was found dead on Monday, but say they do not yet know if he knew Julie Davison.

Police say there have been a number of sightings of Allan in both North Yorkshire and Cleveland.

Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang, who is overseeing both murder investigations, said: “We have had a positive response from members of the public and I would express my thanks for their support.

“We are working round the clock to follow up these leads and I would once again reiterate the fact that if you see James Allen, do not approach him but call 999 straight away.

“If you have information about either murder which may assist the enquiry, please call the non-emergency number 101 and ask for Cleveland Police.

“I would urge people to take simple safety measures to keep themselves safe, such as locking their doors and windows.

“We believe Allen to be involved in a number of other crimes and the last thing we would want is for him to commit any other offence.”