A MAN appeared in court on Wednesday accused of murdering paedophile Arnold Hartley.

Adrian Leslie Brown, 41, of High Street, Redcar, was remanded in custody by Guisborough magistrates. He will make his next appearance at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday.

Mr Brown was arrested by police along with a 42-year-old man and 16-year-old girl on Monday. The other man and the girl have been released. Mr Brown is accused of murdering 73-year-old Mr Hartley whose battered body was found in his home in Queen Street, Redcar on November 29.

The pensioner was jailed for 12 months in 2001 after admitting to eight charges of taking indecent photographs, one of indecency with a child and three of indecent assault.

More than 40 police officers are still working on the case. Anyone with information is asked to call Redcar police on (01642) 302626 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.