A 30-YEAR-old man has been charged with murder after the death of a mother-of-three in Hartlepool on Friday evening.

Torbjorn Kettlewell – also known as Ian Kettlewell, of Oval Grange in Hartlepool, was charged by police with murder and possession of a bladed article last night, Sunday.

He was remanded in custody at Teesside Magistrates Court this morning, Monday, and will appear at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday.

The defendant entered no plea to the charges during the short hearing.

A 48-year-old woman who was arrested in connection with the incident has been released on conditional police bail while inquiries continue.

Kelly Franklin was found critically injured and died minutes later near a play park on Hartlepool’s Oxford Road.

The 29-year-old was a mother of three young children. Police have asked any drivers in the area of Oxford Road, near to Chaucer Avenue, particularly anyone with dash cam footage, to call them on 101.