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Diggers search for missing boys Diggers search for missing boys
(about 1 hour later)
Diggers are being used to unearth land close to where two young boys went missing on Boxing Day 10 years ago.Diggers are being 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, 13, and Patrick Warren, 11, went missing from Chelmsley Wood homes, near Birmingham, in 1996.
Police recently questioned convicted paedophile and rapist Brian Field about the boys' disappearance. Police are searching waste ground in Old Damson Lane, Solihull, near Birmingham International Airport.
The search is taking place on land at Old Damson Lane, Solihull, near Birmingham International Airport. They recently quizzed convicted killer Brian Field about the missing boys. Field, a former gardener, was known to have dumped waste at the site.
During the weekend police handed out 10,000 leaflets across the borough to try to jog witnesses memories. Ch Supt Gordon Fraser, who is leading the investigation, said: "For the last 10 years, people from all over Solihull and Birmingham have been dumping garden refuse and building rubble onto this site.
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 Christine O'Toole, David's mother
"We're removing that rubble now and returning the land to the level it was 10 years ago.
"And then we'll use highly-trained officers to sift through the earth to try and establish whether there's any evidence at all that connects us to David or Patrick."
During the weekend police handed out 10,000 leaflets across the borough to try to jog witnesses' memories.
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
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.
"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."
Family 'desperate'Family 'desperate'
Patrick's family have also said they have been left in limbo by not knowing what has happened. But the last time they were seen was outside the Shell garage in Chelmsley Wood, asking for food.
"After all these years I just want to know where David is. If something terrible has happened at least I can grieve," Mrs O'Toole said.
Brian Field denies any involvement in the boys' disappearancePatrick'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
"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 said he was just one line of inquiry, and they were continuing to appeal for information.