A MAN has appeared in court charged with manslaughter following the death of a betting shop manager.

Trevor Hall, 36, of Hilda Terrace, Chester-le-Street, appeared before Consett Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

He entered no plea to the charges he faces in relation to the death of 52-year-old father- of-three Jeff Hilland.

Mr Hilland, of South Moor, Stanley, collapsed following an incident in the Pagebet shop in Front Street, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, on June 2.

He was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Durham for treatment, but died four days later.

Mr Hilland, who was separated from his wife, has two daughters, Toni, 24, who is studying for a degree in child health at Liverpool University, and Gemma, 25, an educational advisor, of Durham, and a son, Jeff, 28, a company director, of Stanley.

A keen horse-racing fan, he had been in the betting industry for 25 years. He used to manage Pagebet in Rowlands Gill, near Gateshead, and had worked for another firm in Stanley.

His family said he loved pub quizzes, playing pool and playing dominoes with his friends at his local pub, where he was popular with customers and staff.

It is understood that on the day he collapsed he had been involved in a struggle in the shop.

Mr Hall was arrested following the incident and taken to Durham City police station for questioning.

He was released on bail pending further police inquiries and arrested on suspicion of manslaughter when he answered bail two months after Mr Hilland died.

Mr Hall, who has been on conditional bail since being charged on August 13, appeared before the bench at Consett yesterday wearing a light blue stripy shirt and smart trousers.

The court heard that legal aid has been granted and the case was committed to Durham Crown Court. He was granted conditional bail until his next court appearance on September 9.