Alan Hobbs

Case record: Alan Hobbs

Background

Alan Hobbs was 32 years old at the time of the murders. He was described as of no fixed abode. He had a long history of drug and substance abuse going back to the age of 11. Hobbs refused to undergo psychiatric analysis.

The offence

On the afternoon of August 28, 1998, Hobbs visited a friend, Gillian Harvey, 30, who lived in a flat in Slough, Berkshire, England. During the day, Hobbs and Harvey consumed a rather large quantity of Amphetamines and alcohol, which led to sex between them.

After the sex, Hobbs and Harvey got into an argument. Harvey was butchered with a chisel and two knives. Hobbs attacked Harvey twice and caused several stab wounds and a fractured skull.

A few hours later, Harvey’s boyfriend, Ian Brown, 36, arrived home. Hobbs bound and gagged Brown. Hobbs slept in the blood-spattered flat that night, rather than leaving Brown bound and gagged with Harvey.

The next day, Harvey’s ex-boyfriend, Peter Smith, 31, arrived for a visit and was found in the same situation as Brown. During the day, Hobbs tortured Brown and Smith. Hobbs then smashed them about the head with an axe. Brown and Smith died of severe head injuries. The court was told that both men died of severe head injuries and that the principal weapon was an axe found in the bedroom.

Two bloodstained knives were found in the kitchen. An axe was found in the bedroom near the bodies of Brown and Smith.

After the murders, Hobbs went to visit his sister in Basingstoke, Hampshire. He stayed there for the next ten days. During that period, the bodies were left undiscovered in the flat.

After someone noticed Harvey and the two men were missing, a report was filed with the police. Police later found a bad smell and some rotting meat in the shape of humans at Harvey’s flat. The victims were identified and were found to have no credit cards on them.

Hobbs was tracked down after withdrawals were made, and police identified him as the person making withdrawals.

Hobbs left the flat with a computer game, a watch, and a cashcard.

Investigation

Police eventually tracked down Alan Hobbs after he used a stolen cashcard to withdraw money. Police found him at his sister’s home in Basingstoke, Hampshire, cowering in a bedroom.

When officers asked Hobbs about the three killings, he replied: "Yeah, I done them." He also said he had been "whizzing" after coming down from amphetamines.

Detectives were apparently unsure what had caused Hobbs to start killing his friends. The investigation included the statement that there was "no history of any animosity between him and Gillian or Mr Brown or Mr Smith." The explanation given was: "The only explanation that can be given is the culmination of drink and drugs withdrawal which led to this bizarre behaviour."

Detective Superintendent Trevor Davies of Thames Valley Police led the investigation and said the incident was the worst crime scene he had ever been to. He described the murders as the "most appalling" he had seen in 29 years in the police. He said: "It is difficult for someone like myself to understand what could possibly have been going through Hobbs's mind. I don't know how anyone could be capable of such callous and brutal acts,".

Arrest

Hobbs was arrested on 12 September after a massive police hunt. Police found him at his sister’s home in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Trial

Hobbs pleaded guilty to the murders at Reading Crown Court. The court heard he was high on amphetamines when he murdered Gillian Harvey, Peter Smith, and Ian Brown.

Adrian Redgrave QC, for the prosecution, said that on the afternoon of 28 August Hobbs arrived at Harvey’s flat in Slough, had sex with her before killing her, and then attacked her with a chisel after having sex. The court was told that Harvey had several stab wounds and a fractured skull, and that she was attacked twice.

Redgrave QC stated that Brown arrived later that afternoon and was attacked by Hobbs, left bound and gagged overnight, and that the following day Smith arrived and was tied up with Brown, after which both were murdered.

Redgrave QC also said: "Both men died of severe head injuries. The principal weapon was an axe found in the bedroom. This accused must have struck repeated blows to the heads of both men with all his force."

Richard Benson QC, for the defence, said that Hobbs had always expressed remorse and dismay about what happened on that day. Benson QC also said Hobbs had a history of drug and substance abuse since the age of 11.

The court was told that Hobbs had a long history of drug and substance abuse and had refused to undergo psychiatric analysis.

During sentencing, Mr Justice Blofeld said he should serve at least 20 years before being considered for parole. Blofeld said he found these matters inexplicable and called Hobbs’ conduct "extremely wicked" and his behaviour "extremely callous". Blofeld also said Hobbs had appeared to show no remorse for the "three apparently motiveless crimes" and called the crimes "three apparently motiveless crimes".

Mr Redgrave said: "It was over the weekend of August 28-29 that this accused murdered three friends. He did so over a period of about 24 hours, all in the same house in Slough in circumstances of almost unimaginable savagery and callousness."

Blofeld told the court that Hobbs should serve a minimum of 20 years in jail before being considered for parole.

Sentencing

On (or around) July 12, 1999, Hobbs was given three life sentences. The sentencing included a recommendation that he serve at least 20 years before being considered for parole.

He was sentenced to three terms of life imprisonment, and Mr Justice Blofeld said he should serve at least 20 years before parole.

Timeline

• 28 August 1998 — Hobbs visited Gillian Harvey’s flat in Slough, Berkshire; Hobbs and Harvey consumed amphetamines and alcohol and had sex; Harvey was attacked with a chisel and knives.
• 28 August 1998 — Ian Brown arrived later the same afternoon; Hobbs bound and gagged Brown.
• 29 August 1998 — Peter Smith arrived; Hobbs tortured Brown and Smith; Hobbs used an axe and other instruments to kill Brown and Smith.
• Early September 1998 (ten days after the murders) — Hobbs stayed with his sister in Basingstoke, Hampshire while the bodies remained undiscovered in the Slough flat.
• 12 September — Hobbs was arrested after a massive police hunt.
• 12 July 1999 — Hobbs was sentenced to three life sentences; he was to serve at least 20 years before being considered for parole.

Other details

Hobbs described the aftermath as being "whizzing" after coming down from amphetamines.

The victims were found to have no credit cards on them when police identified them. Police tracked Hobbs after he used a stolen cashcard to withdraw money.

Hobbs was said to have been high on amphetamines when he murdered his friends Gillian Harvey, Peter Smith, and Ian Brown, and he had been drinking.

The court was told that Ms Harvey and Mr Brown lived together in the flat and that Peter Smith was friendly with the pair. The court was told that Hobbs had known Harvey for some years and had met Brown and Smith several times.