Fresh hope in search for Milk Carton Kids
MILK Carton Kids volunteers are liaising with a HS2 contractor after a new site was identified ‘by a source’ in a desperate hunt for the remains of two boys who vanished 25 years ago.
Lee O’Toole, the brother of missing David Spencer, negotiated with workers and security officers near the NEC in Birmingham on Wednesday morning.
David disappeared with friend Patrick Warren at a petrol station near his home in Chelmsley Wood on Boxing Day 1996. The duo were never seen again and became known as the Milk Carton Kids following an appeal.
Last year, a huge community effort was launched after a “credible tip off” about a site in Elmdon, Solihull. It lasted for months and morphed into a highly organised effort despite a police plea to stay away.
Now, a separate site has sparked fresh hope for two families desperate for closure.
Mr O’Toole was on-site with workers this week following talks with bosses.
The devastated sibling has now vowed to stay away as workers carefully investigate a section of interest. HS2 insisted works were continuing as normal and said volunteers would not be allowed on the land.
A source close to Mr O’Toole said on Wednesday: “HS2 is starting work tomorrow. It’s just HS2 digging it. We just told them if they don’t do it we will.
“Lee is smiling. This is massive. “It’s close to Chelmsley Wood. I’m not saying we’re going to find anything but it’s got to be eliminated.”
The Post understands the new site was identified after a source came forward during the early weeks of the Elmdon dig.
The new land was also looked at by a separate vigilante group earlier this year after permission was granted by contractor BBV.
The case of David and Patrick has been linked to convicted child killer Brian Field, a gardener who lived and worked in Solihull in the Nineties.
The paedophile was jailed for life in 2001 for the 1968 kidnap, rape and murder of Surrey schoolboy Roy Tutill.
Prime suspect Field has always denied anything to do with the missing pair. West Midlands Police said there wasn’t enough evidence to charge the monster after he was quizzed in 2006.
HS2 has liaised with West Midlands Police who last year confirmed the area was not part of their investigation and was not a crime scene.
Contractors have been carrying out their programme of work as usual with initial groundwork including clearing tree stumps.
A HS2 spokesperson said: “We understand that this is a difficult time for Mr O’Toole and his family and, whilst the police have confirmed this site is not of interest to their investigation, our contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI has been liaising closely with him.
“BBV’s expert site engineers are carrying out soil removal works on the construction site and, as with any such works, are operating with care and precision.
“We have agreed to keep Mr O’Toole informed of progress and are in liaison with the police.”