DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a bachelor in his home have charged a 24-year-old man.

Keith Philpott's battered body was discovered by police in his ground-floor flat in Billingham, Teesside, on Thursday night.

The 36-year-old, who had learning difficulties and lived alone, had been tied up before being beaten and stabbed to death in the bathroom of the flat in Axbridge Court, High Grange.

Police said the man they have charged, Sean Swindon, of Middlesbrough, will appear before Teesside magistrates today.

Mr Philpott had suffered multiple stab wounds in the attack.

At a Press conference in Middlesbrough over the weekend, Detective Superintendent Tony Hutchinson, of Cleveland Police, said: "He was a harmless and likeable member of the community. His neighbours would see him coming and going from his house and he was well known in the local area."

Family members visited the flat last Thursday after Mr Philpott had failed to contact them for 24 hours.

They became suspicious after noticing the bathroom door off its hinges through the letterbox.

Mr Philpott went to his elderly mother's house, around the corner, every day for his meals.

Although he managed to live independently, he was unable to read or write and did not work.

He had two sisters and three brothers, including an identical twin brother, Kevin. His mother, Pauline, was said to be in shock following his death.

Police said they wanted to speak to anyone who had seen Mr Philpott between 6pm on Wednesday and 9.30pm on Thursday.

He is described as having shoulder-length blond hair, and was about 5ft 9in and with an athletic build.

At the time of the attack, he was wearing white trainers, blue jeans and a blue three-quarter length coat.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Cleveland Police on (01642) 301294.