Murder trial told of desperate 999 call (From York Press)

Murder trial told of desperate 999 call

10:23am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News

A woman sobbed “He’s dead, he’s dead” to a 999 operator after discovering the body of an elderly man, a court heard.

James Allen, 36, is on trial accused of murdering Colin Dunford, 81, and North Yorkshire woman Julie Davison, 50, in April.

The motive for both was robbery, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

The body of Mr Dunford, of Middlesbrough, was discovered by his close friends George Foreman, Angelina Dicicco and Andrew Mallett.

The court was played the 999 call made by Ms Dicicco after they found him. While sobbing down the phone, she said: “He’s been robbed and murdered. He’s been murdered.

In his evidence, Mr Foreman said he had been a friend of Mr Dunford for ten years.

He said only once in that time had his friend not come to the social club they attended on a Sunday night.

It was Mr Dunford’s absence from the club that alerted him to something being wrong.

Allen, who denies the charges, is accused of then murdering Julie Davison in her flat in Whitby.

Robert Smith QC, prosecuting, said after murdering Ms Davison, he went to a Cash Converters shop to sell some of her possessions.

The trial continues.