A MAN has been remanded in custody for two months accused of murdering an unemployed father-of-two who regularly stayed at his house.

Robin Jacques, 41, of Park View, Burnopfield, County Durham, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday.

He is accused of killing Barry Thompson, 44, of no fixed abode, who was found in Mr Jacques' house on May 26.

In court, Mr Jacques was wearing a white T-shirt and dark trousers and spoke only to confirm his name and address. No application for bail was made.

His case was adjourned until August 3 at Newcastle Crown Court when he will enter a plea.

Mr Thompson, who was found unconscious on a settee in the lounge, was taken to University Hospital of North Durham then transferred to a neuro-surgery unit at Newcastle General Hospital. He died the next afternoon.

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson yesterday renewed his appeal for witnesses to come forward.

He said there were still gaps in knowledge about Mr Thompson's movements before the ambulance was called.

Det Supt Stephenson said: "We know he left a house in Lilac Crescent, which just around the corner from Park View at about 8.30pm on Wednesday, May 25.

"There are then some unconfirmed sitings of him in the area at breakfast time the next day and then nothing before the ambulance crew found him at about 4pm.

"If he was out and about in Burnopfield that day, Mr Thompson will almost certainly have been wearing his very familiar blue denim jacket."

Anyone with information on Mr Thompson's movements is asked to call Durham Police on 0845 60 60 365.