November 6, 2013updated 07 Nov 2013 2:20pm

Mystery woman called recruitment firm claiming to be Milly Dowler’s mother, court told

A mystery woman rang a recruitment firm wrongly linked by the News of the World to Milly Dowler's disappearance claiming to be the schoolgirl's mum, the hacking trial has heard.

In a statement read into the court, Valerie Hancox, who ran the Mondays recruitment firm, revealed: "We know what's going on with Milly Dowler and we believe she's working for you.

"I'm her mother and I want to know where she is."

Later a News of the World reporter doorstepped Hancox, asking to speak to her.

“He told me he was investigating the Milly Dowler disappearance," she said. "He had a photographer with him. He told me he was helping the police with inquiries and asked to come in."

She went on: "I didn't know what the reporter was talking about. I have to say I was scared."

Ms Hancox added: "Surrey Police confirmed that they were not working with the News of the World."

Earlier the court heard that a message had been left on Dowler’s phone by mistake by a member of staff at the agency.

News of the World managing editor Stuart Kuttner rang Surrey Police on 13 April 2002 informing them about the message on the murdered schoolgirl’s phone.

All defendants deny the charges.

The trial continues