Victims' family in 'living hell'

Police released a new image of Mark Hobson on Friday

The daughter of an elderly couple murdered in North Yorkshire has spoken of the "living hell" her family is enduring following the killings.

Catherine Wilkins said the deaths of her parents, James and Joan Britton, at their home in Strensall near York had "left us devastated".

The hunt for prime suspect Mark Hobson is now in its sixth day.

Mr Hobson has also been linked to the murders of twins Claire and Diane Sanderson of Camblesforth, near Selby.

'Lovely couple'

Mrs Wilkins said her family had been "rocked by the horror" of the murders and the "senseless waste of human lives".

In a statement read out at a news conference, she said: "All I can say to whoever is responsible is 'Please give yourself up'.

Catherine Wilkins: Family rocked by horror

"You must know the damage you have inflicted not only on your victims but their relatives, who will have to live with this memory for the rest of their lives."

She described her parents, 80-year-old James and his wife Joan, 82, as "a lovely elderly couple who could harm no-one".

"Why would someone want to take their lives and the lives of two young women?"

"They didn't deserve to die like this."

Det Supt Javad Ali, who is leading the murder investigations, said that as Mr Hobson was "known to like a drink" he was urging staff at off-licences, pubs and shops to be on the lookout.

Nationwide hunt

Mr Hobson was the boyfriend of Claire Sanderson, whose friends and family did not approve of their relationship.

Claire's best friend Kelly Williams told BBC Radio Five Live: "He has got a very charming side. I just want to warn people please don't be taken in by him.

"He needs to be caught now. If anybody knows where he is they have got to tell the police."

Joan and James Britton had been viciously assaulted

Detectives said former binman Mr Hobson was known to have an interest in narrowboats and appealed for boat owners and people on the waterways to keep a look out for anything suspicious.

Despite a nationwide manhunt, police admitted that they were no nearer to finding him.

Mr Ali said he could be moving from place to place or could have found somewhere to hide.

He appealed for the public to keep garages and outhouses locked and secured and to check vacant properties had not been broken into.

Mr Ali issued a warning to anyone who might see Mr Hobson whom he described as a dangerous individual.

"On no account confront this man."

And to Mr Hobson, he said: "There's no hiding place for you."