A TEENAGER accused of the seaside promenade murder of a homeless man has formally denied the charge.
David Pallister, 18, pleaded not guilty yesterday to murdering Richard Jones, 47, whose badly beaten body was found at South Shields sea front on New Year's Day.
Mr Jones was a former Welsh Guardsman who had been travelling Britain in an attempt to cope with the grief of losing his sick mother.
He was in the Army until 1981 and was drawing on his military experiences to help with his decision to sleep outdoors.
No trial date was set during the short hearing at Newcastle Crown Court and Pallister, of Ashley Road, South Shields, was remanded in custody until June 21.
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