Schoolboy murderer Brian Field dies in prison

He was also linked to the disappearance of the so-called Milk Carton Kids, David Spencer and Patrick Warren, 11 and 13, who vanished on Boxing Day in 1996 after playing near their homes in Solihull.

They became the first children to appear on four-pint milk cartons in 770 Iceland stores as part of a campaign by the National Missing Persons Helpline.

But they have never been found and nobody has been charged over their disappearance.

In 2006, Field – who had lived nearby – was identified as a prime suspect.

He was questioned by detectives and officers dug up land he used as a dumping area, but Field denied involvement and there was insufficient evidence to charge him.

In 2021, a Channel 4 documentary also highlighted the possible connection between Field and the two cases.