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| Diggers search for missing boys | Diggers search for missing boys |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Diggers are to be used to unearth land close to where two young boys went missing on Boxing Day 10 years ago. | Diggers are to be used to unearth land close to where two young boys went missing on Boxing Day 10 years ago. |
| David Spencer, who was 13, and Patrick Warren, then 11, went missing from their homes in Chelmsley Wood, near Birmingham, in 1996. | David Spencer, who was 13, and Patrick Warren, then 11, went missing from their homes in Chelmsley Wood, near Birmingham, in 1996. |
| Police recently questioned convicted paedophile and rapist Brian Field about the boys' disappearance. | Police recently questioned convicted paedophile and rapist Brian Field about the boys' disappearance. |
| The search is taking place on land at Old Damson Lane, Solihull, near Birmingham International Airport. | |
| During the weekend police handed out 10,000 leaflets across the borough to try to jog witnesses memories. | During the weekend police handed out 10,000 leaflets across the borough to try to jog witnesses memories. |
| I don't celebrate Christmas and haven't put a tree or trimmings up since David went missing Christine O'Toole, David's mother | I don't celebrate Christmas and haven't put a tree or trimmings up since David went missing Christine O'Toole, David's mother |
| David's mother, Christine O'Toole, made a fresh plea for information for his birthday, which would be on Tuesday. | David's mother, Christine O'Toole, made a fresh plea for information for his birthday, which would be on Tuesday. |
| Mrs O'Toole, 43, said: "I really hope David is still alive but I just can't see it." | Mrs O'Toole, 43, said: "I really hope David is still alive but I just can't see it." |
| The arrival of Christmas made everything worse, she added. | The arrival of Christmas made everything worse, she added. |
| "I don't celebrate Christmas and haven't put a tree or trimmings up since David went missing." | "I don't celebrate Christmas and haven't put a tree or trimmings up since David went missing." |
| In 1996, the two boys had told Mrs O'Toole they would be staying at Patrick's brother's house for the night. | In 1996, the two boys had told Mrs O'Toole they would be staying at Patrick's brother's house for the night. |
| Appeals were made on milk bottles to try to trace the boys | Appeals were made on milk bottles to try to trace the boys |
| They were last seen by a petrol station worker in Chelmsley Wood late that night, asking for food. | They were last seen by a petrol station worker in Chelmsley Wood late that night, asking for food. |
| "In my mind I go over the last conversation I had with him. I told him not to be late getting to Paddy's brother's. Next thing I knew the police were at the door saying the boys were missing," Mrs O'Toole said. | "In my mind I go over the last conversation I had with him. I told him not to be late getting to Paddy's brother's. Next thing I knew the police were at the door saying the boys were missing," Mrs O'Toole said. |
| "After all these years I just want to know where David is. If something terrible has happened at least I can grieve. | "After all these years I just want to know where David is. If something terrible has happened at least I can grieve. |
| "I'm in limbo at the moment now knowing if he's dead or alive." | "I'm in limbo at the moment now knowing if he's dead or alive." |
| Family 'desperate' | Family 'desperate' |
| Patrick's family have also said they have been left in limbo by not knowing what has happened. | Patrick's family have also said they have been left in limbo by not knowing what has happened. |
| His father Derek Warren, 64, said: "As a family we are desperate to know what has happened to Patrick since he went missing. | His father Derek Warren, 64, said: "As a family we are desperate to know what has happened to Patrick since he went missing. |
| Brian Field denies any involvement in the boys' disappearance | Brian Field denies any involvement in the boys' disappearance |
| "This January was his 21st birthday. We don't know whether he's alive or come to harm, but we can't come to terms with anything until we know for sure." | "This January was his 21st birthday. We don't know whether he's alive or come to harm, but we can't come to terms with anything until we know for sure." |
| Brian Field, 70, was jailed for life in 2001 for the rape and murder of Roy Tutill, 14, more than 30 years earlier. | Brian Field, 70, was jailed for life in 2001 for the rape and murder of Roy Tutill, 14, more than 30 years earlier. |
| He denies any involvement in the two boys' disappearance, police said. | He denies any involvement in the two boys' disappearance, police said. |
| Officers added he was just one line of inquiry and are continuing to appeal to anyone with any information, however small, to contact them. | Officers added he was just one line of inquiry and are continuing to appeal to anyone with any information, however small, to contact them. |