- Police are probing various sightings of James Allen on a black bicycle in the Middlesbrough area
- Neighbours describe Allen - who may have changed his appearance to evade arrest - as 'a polite and normal bloke'
- More than 100 officers are now involved in the search after sightings in Leeds, Whitby and Scarborough
- He is wanted following the deaths of Colin Dunford, in Middlesbrough on Monday and Julie Davison, in Whitby, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday
By Andy Whelan
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A man who survived a knife attack by suspected double killer James Allen has criticised a decision to free him on bail after he was arrested earlier this year.
Brian Butt, 67, was stabbed four times by Allen during a burglary nine years ago.
Allen, 35, was last night at the centre of a massive manhunt involving more than 100 police officers after allegedly battering former neighbour Colin Dunford, 81, to death in Middlesbrough on Monday and killing Julie Davison, 50, in Whitby, North Yorkshire.
A grainy picture issued by Cleveland Police shows James Allen at a cash exchange in Scarborough on Tuesday
Both victims were found in their homes where they lived alone and there were no signs of a break-in.
Police have revealed that Allen was on bail at the time of the murders, having been committed to crown court for a sexual offence and assault.
He had also been charged with theft, trespass and possession of cannabis.
Wanted: James Allen, 35, is being urgently sought by police following the separate murders of Colin Dunford, in Middlesbrough, on Monday, and Julie Davison, in Whitby, North Yorkshire, yesterday
Mr Butt said Allen should not have been freed on bail given he had previous convictions for violence.
He said: ‘I was shocked to find out Allen had been granted bail.
‘He has proven himself to be violent and dangerous, and should not have been free to walk the streets.
‘It is common sense that Allen should have been behind bars.
‘It’s awful to think that these people may have lost their lives because of the decision to give him bail.’
In 2004, Allen was sentenced to eight years in prison at Southampton Crown Court.
He admitted burglary and the aggravated taking and driving away of a Vauxhall Astra.
He also pleaded guilty to wounding retired electrician Mr Butt with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The hunt for Allen was focused on Leeds last night after a confirmed sighting of him on Friday afternoon.
West Yorkshire Police said CCTV footage showed Allen walking along the city’s Harehills Lane at 4.41pm on Friday.
Police also released CCTV images of Allen in a number of locations, including a sports shop, in Scarborough on Wednesday and Thursday.
Officers said he might be growing his hair to change his appearance.
Detective Chief Superintendent Gordon Lang said: ‘The photographs show James Allen throughout the course of the week, caught on camera and show signs of hair growing through at both sides of his head.He was described as bald but there’s now clear signs of hair growing.’
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Raid: Armed police at the scene in Lothian Road, Middlesbrough, where police sealed off the street this morningas the hunt for James Allen continues
Cleveland police are still carrying out investigations in other parts of the country, including North Yorkshire and Middlesbrough.
Armed police raided a terraced house on Oxford Street in Middlesbrough yesterday afternoon.
Neighbours were told to stay inside as around ten armed officers surrounded the house. Neighbour Carla Robinson, 22, said: ‘The guy who lives there is a big lad. He has a bald head and he is like a body-builder. He is definitely not James Allen.
‘I did not see the armed police officers go in, but I saw them walking out with their guns and stuff.
‘They told us all to get inside, they need to catch him, don’t they.’
Det Ch Sup Lang said: ‘This is not a time for loyalty. If you are helping him or have helped him, you need to tell us. We need to catch him as soon as possible, you have the responsibility.’
He also appealed directly to Allen, saying: ‘You need to be in police custody. You know you need to be in police custody, you know what you have done.’
Murdered:Â Colin Dunford, left, was found dead on Monday and Julie Davison, right, was found dead by her sister yesterday
Allen appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on April 3 and was committed for trial at Teesside Crown Court.
He is due to appear at Teesside Crown Court in December for plea and case management.
Police continued to warn that Allen is dangerous and should not be approached.
They are keen for people in the Leeds area to report any sightings by calling 999.
Earlier Superintendent Lang appealed directly to Allen, saying: 'You need to be in police custody, you know you need to be in police custody, you know what you've done.'
He acknowledged people in the area will be 'concerned' and urged residents to be 'public-spirited and community-minded' and 'look out for elderly neighbours'
He added: 'Lock the doors, lock the windows and check who is knocking on your door.
'This is a dangerous man, but we are putting absolutely everything into finding him, taking him down and bringing him to justice.
'There's a massive police operation in place here. Over 100 detectives, two forces, not an inch between these two forces, absolutely working in partnership with one goal, and that is to find James Allen and arrest him.
Dead: Julie Davison, pictured, was found by her sister at her flat in Whitby. She had suffered serious head injuries
'We are 100% committed to tracking him down. This man needs to stop, he needs to stop now.'
Superintendent Lang added: 'James Allen, stop now. Do the right thing. Consider the consequences. You have inflicted terrible injuries and death on two families. Stop and hand yourself in.'
Mr Lang added that sightings of Allen in the Cleveland and North Yorkshire Police areas were continuing to be reported as well as potential sightings in Leeds on Thursday and Friday.
He said: 'We are investigating a number of sightings in both force areas that have been reported to us, including sightings in the Harehills area of Leeds.
Investigation: Forensic officers comb the home for clues
'This operation continues on a 24/7 basis and it will do until we trace and arrest James Allen.
'Someone must know where he is. He will have confided in someone and I would appeal to that person to come forward and get in touch with us.
'Two innocent people have lost their lives and it is absolutely vital that we catch James Allen as soon as possible.
'If you know where he is now, call us. James, if you are reading this, give yourself up, it is only a matter of time before we find you.'
Allen is 5ft 7in tall, bald and has tattoos on both arms. Armed police have carried out a series of raids at addresses linked to Allen.
He is believed to have been riding a black mountain bike, which was seen outside Mr Dunford's home in Middlesbrough and also outside Mrs Davison's address in Whitby around the time of the murders.
Mr Lang said Allen may have cycled down the coast from Teesside to Whitby, but could also have used rail or road transport. 'We are keen to trace that bike,' he added.
Police revealed Allen lived next door to Mr Dunford in Leven Street 12 months ago and knew him.
The pensioner was found dead at 10.50pm on Monday after the steward of the local working men's club became concerned about him and went to his house. Allen is not believed to know his second victim and could have used 'subterfuge' to gain access to her flat.
Mrs Davison, a mother-of-one and charity worker, had been out playing bingo and was found dead by her sister on Wednesday.
Born in Blackpool, Allen had been in a relationship with a woman who has a daughter and a granddaughter and lives in the area. Detectives were at her home yesterday.
Allen had been living in a house in Lothian Road for about two months. Neighbour Mohammed Afsar, 52, said Allen gave his name as 'J' and claimed to be a bricklayer.
Tragic: Police at the scene in Church Square, Whitby, North Yorkshire, after Julie Davison, 50, was found dead in her flat following a 'brutal' assault
He said he saw him at around 10am on Monday, walking quickly down the street and carrying a black shoulder bag. Allen told him he was getting a taxi to Scarborough.
Another neighbour Adeel Baig, 31, a sales adviser and father of three, said of Allen: 'I got the impression he might have been a drug addict.
'The last time I spoke to him was on Sunday. He knocked on my door and wanted some pots and pans. He said he was doing some cooking for his wife.'
Margaret Mason, 64, a grandmother-of-three knew James Allen when he lived on Leven Street said she was shocked at the changed appearance of her former neighbour.
She said: 'James used to come round and fix the bairns bikes. I also remember he came round once to pick up a mattress for one of his neighbours.
'I always thought he was a nice and pleasant chap. The grandchildren used to get on with him. He used to stand outside his home and say hello to them whenever they went by.
'I was shocked when I found out, he looked so different in the picture, his face was so drawn.
'It is terrifying to think he was in my house. I lock the door now because I’m nervous and I live alone.
'I think it’s a tragedy and it’s so frightening for these old people.'
Investigation: Police have cordoned off the street in Middlesbrough where 81-year-old Colin Dunford was found dead on Monday evening
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How would that guy change his appearance? Maybe over weeks, by growing out his hair and mustache and beard, but not in a few days! He has the typical skaghead appearance. And you death penalty lovers: one objection nowadays is that it would be more expensive to hang someone than to keep him locked up for life. It is in America. The number of appeals and re-appeals and stays-of-execution available, and the cost per hour of lawyers, just pushes up the legal fees to ridiculous levels. And whether the overall level of murders actually gets reduced is unclear; it's debatable.
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Now IF the Police knew 1= what a bike looks like 2= how to ride one 3= location of the area 3=NOT afraid of being alone(as once once,HONEST) 4=last but not least,where the bike clips are kept then we may stand a chance!!
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I would like to ask the Home Secretary why this known violent thug was walking our streets in the first place? Must be a realy proud day for ALL involved in getting this animal released and on bail so that it could kill two totally innocent peole. Not the first time this has happend..
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Looks like the policeman's laughing at the crime scene, professional.
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'This man is dangerous'? Who in their right mind gave him bail then? This sort of thing has happened before?
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When is was alleged he had committed a sexual assault, why was he given bail? Surely now, after yet another case of a criminal with a string of offences, yet allowed to roam free and even given bail after being charged with a heinous crime, the law must be changed or strengthened so that anyone accused of violence and/or sexual crime should be kept in custody until their trial date. When is this Government going to protect the law abiding?
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He won`t get far on a mountain bike and,as he is a drug addict, he will have to steal to get his daily drugs.No need for the police helicopter or heavily armed police, just the old fashioned more effective style of policing.
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Capital punishment; then see the crime figures drop.- Jim, Norwich England *************** Yeah....because that's worked so well in countries that have the death penalty.....Try doing some research before coming out with stuff which is just not true at all. - Mark, UK, 27/4/2012 13:29 The lawyers do not want the death penalty. This will cut their work by too large a percentage. Reoffending is big business.
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There are no murders,rape,drugs or firearms in Malaysia.....WHY ?? because you will DIE , Capital Punishment WORKS !!!!!
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Red arrow me all you want. Saying that bringing the death penalty in will reduce crime just shows your ignorance on the subject. It's been proven that it doesn't reduce crime what so ever. Saying so just makes you look like you've got no idea what you're talking about and just parroting off cliches without having the intelligence to actually look at facts and statistics. - Mark, UK, 27/4/2012 16:07..................................of course the death penalty will reduce crime. Hang him (or her) and they won't commit another crime. Simple arithmetic.
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