Bromsgrove mum says she warned police before drug murder

May 29 2009 by Ben Hurst, Birmingham Mail

Detectives used fingerprint records to identify Nathan, a slightly-built and “boyish” figure who had been sent to Redditch to guard drugs supplied to Hancox by a Birmingham-based gang.

Allden admitted putting bloodstained wallpaper into rubbish bags following the killing, but claimed Hancox had killed Nathan with a wooden club.

Hancox told the jury Allden killed the teenager with a pickaxe handle while desperate to feed her drug addiction.

Both now face mandatory life sentences.

Mrs Patterson, who took her daughter to Worcester Police Station as soon as she heard a man had been killed, added: “Although Amanda has been found guilty of murder I still believe she is innocent.

“We are now planning an appeal.

“She used to be such a bright girl and she was always intent on going into the beauty and fashion trade.

“But when her dad died her life was turned upside down and she fell in with the wrong sort of people.

“Who knows when she will see her two young children next.”

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Eccleston, of West Mercia Police, said: “We can confirm that one call from an anonymous female was received and logged by us on March 19, 2008, relating to illegal drugs activity at Scott Hancox’s address in Fownhope Close, Redditch.

“As a result a number of officers were deployed to the area that evening. They found no evidence to substantiate the information given by the caller.”