A TAXI driver in York claims he believes he could have been murderer Mark Hobson’s fifth victim.

Brian Norrie, from Osbaldwick, was a York Hackney Carriage driver in July 2004, when Hobson murdered sisters Claire and Diane Sanderson in Camblesforth, and pensioners James and Joan Britton in Strensall.

Mr Norrie said he had picked up a fare from York railway station at about 2am on Sunday, July 18 - hours after the killings - and dropped off the customer in Strensall before turning around to head back to the city.

He said: “I stopped at the junction and straight in front of me out of the shadows this bloke appeared and put his hand up.

"I just didn’t like the look of him.

"I would’ve been allowed to pick him up, but there was something about him so I drove off and left him.

“The next day, it all came to light what he’d done and there was a picture of him in the paper and I realised it was Hobson tried to flag me down.

"I think I could have been his fifth victim, he could have stabbed me and pinched my car. I think I was very lucky, really.”

Hobson led police on a week-long manhunt before being captured after the owner of a filling station on the A19 near Shipton recognised the murderer as he tried to buy cigarette papers, matches and water, and called North Yorkshire Police.

Hobson was eventually sentenced to a whole life tariff by a judge in 2005.

Mr Norrie said he could not say exactly why he did not want to pick up the mystery fare, but he reported the incident to police after recognising the killer in The Press.

He said: “There was just something about him.

"I can’t put my finger on it. When you’re a taxi driver for some time you get a feeling about certain people.

"There was just something about him and I took the decision to drive on, and I’m glad I did.

"I just thought ‘no, you’re not getting in here, mate’, and left him to it."

Mr Norrie said he went to North Yorkshire Police at the time and reported the incident.

He said: “I spoke to the police at the time and told them when it was all over the paper.

"There was nothing more I could tell them other than to confirm I had seen him in the early hours of that morning.”

The Press reported last week that a new documentary was being produced into the murders and subsequent manhunt, which will be broadcast next year.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said: “North Yorkshire Police does not disclose or discuss witnesses involved in any case and out of respect for the victims’ families we will not be providing further comment on the case.”