A MAN facing a double murder charge was taken down from the dock after repeated outbursts when people were giving evidence during his trial.

James Allen was continually interrupting proceedings during a fractious day in Newcastle Crown Court today.

The 36-year-old denies murdering Colin Dunford in April this year as well as the murder of Julie Davison in Whitby three days later.

Mr Justice Openshaw eventually ran out of patience with the defendant during the afternoon session when Allen shouted out during the hearing before being allowed to return to the court room after the final witness of the day was finished giving evidence.

Earlier in the day, the court heard how bank details belonging to the elderly murder victim were found in the house where Mr Allen stayed the night of his death.

Craig Lines told the jury how Mr Allen turned up on his doorstep needing somewhere to stay the night after falling out with his partner.

The witness told how Mr Allen came and went during the evening and at one point returned sweating with a "snotty" nose.

He also told how Mr Allen had a small spot of blood on his sock which the defendant claimed was caused by a blister on his foot.

The jury was told that a bank statement belonging to Mr Dunford was found under the cushion of one of Mr Lines' sofa.

CCTV footage shown to the jury showed Mr Allen and Mr Lines at a Sainsbury store where one of Mr Dunford's missing bank cards was used.

John Bromley- Davenport, defending, accused Mr Lines of embellishing his story in an attempt to protect himself and the person who really murdered Mr Dunford.

In a heated exchange between the QC and the witness, Mr Lines said: “I've got nothing to wriggle out of at all. I'm disgusted with the way you're trying to treat me.

“I would suggest to you that you treat someone like me with a little bit more respect.”

The court heard how Mr Lines had a death threat pushed through his door calling him a 'murdering nonce'.

Mr Lines added: “I have lost more than most people involved in this, at the end of the day I haven’t done anything wrong and I have no reason to lie.”

The jury heard how on the night it is believed that Mr Dunford was murdered that Mr Allen was smoking cannabis with Mr Lines and was later seen counting money out of a jar in the rear room of his home.

Mr Allen, of Lothian Road, Middlesbrough, denies two charges of murder. He is accused of killing Mr Dunford before killing Julie Davison in Whitby three days later.

The 36-year-old denies both charges.