Second youth may yet be charged over death (From The Northern Echo)
For details on how to contact our editorial and commercial departments, click here
Court told second youth may yet be charged over Stanley death
5:24pm Friday 4th January 2013 in News
By Tony Kearney
FOUND BLEEDING: David Scott
PROSECUTORS say a second teenager may yet be charged over the death of a father-of-two found stabbed in a back lane.
The news emerged as a 16-year-old boy made his first appearance in crown court charged with the murder of David Scott.
The 33-year-old died two days before Christmas after he was stabbed in the back lane behind Rose Avenue, in the South Moor area of Stanley, County Durham.
His bleeding body was discovered in the early hours of December 23 and he was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, but died later that day.
A teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared before Newcastle Crown Court via a videolink from Hassockfield Secure Training Centre, near Consett today (Friday, January 4).
Mark Giuliani, prosecuting, said the case was complex as another youth may yet be charged alongside the defendant.
The court was told that Mr Scott was stabbed five times during the incident, with the fatal blow being a wound to the lung from which he quickly bled to death.
Neighbours alerted police to a disturbance in the street after seeing two men kicking another on the ground.
Judge James Goss, the Recorder of Newcastle, did not lift reporting restrictions which prevent the defendant being named, due to his age.
He declined bail, ordering the teenager to be remanded in secure accommodation.
A plea hearing will be held on March 22, with a trial date set provisionally for June 24.
The judge said: "I am satisfied it is appropriate for you to be remanded in secure youth accommodation, it not being appropriate for you to be granted bail."
The defendant, who wore a dark sweatshirt, rubbed his eyes and face during the 10-minute hearing.
Mr Scott, who was unemployed, lived with his mother Janice and his two young children, a boy aged five and a girl who turned seven earlier this week.
A total of eight people have been arrested in connection with the incident, including one woman.
