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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Diggers search for missing boys | Diggers search for missing boys |
| (30 minutes 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, 13, and Patrick Warren, 11, went missing from Chelmsley Wood homes, near Birmingham, in 1996. | David Spencer, 13, and Patrick Warren, 11, went missing from Chelmsley Wood homes, near Birmingham, in 1996. |
| Police are searching waste ground in Old Damson Lane, Solihull, near Birmingham International Airport. | Police are searching waste ground in 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. | They recently quizzed convicted killer Brian Field about the missing boys. Field, a former gardener, was known to have dumped waste at the site. |
| Ch Supt Gordon Fraser, who is leading the investigation, said Old Damson Lane was one of a number of sites that would be searched. | |
| "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 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. | "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." | "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. | 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. |
| The boys were last seen begging food at a petrol station | |
| 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. |
| Family 'desperate' | Family 'desperate' |
| But the last time they were seen was outside the Shell garage in Chelmsley Wood, asking for food. | 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. | "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. | 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. |
| "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 said he was just one line of inquiry, and they were continuing to appeal for information. | Officers said he was just one line of inquiry, and they were continuing to appeal for information. |