A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of a North-East schoolboy.
Dean Pike died after the blaze at his home in Sunderland.
Neil English has been charged with his murder and the attempted murder of Dean's pregnant mother, Janine Dodd, in the late-night fire that gutted their house in Mordey Close, Deerness Park, on June 24.
Mr English, 42, of Chester Road, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the six-minute hearing, at Sunderland Magistrates' Court. He was remanded in custody.
The case was adjourned to Newcastle Crown Court next Thursday.
Ms Dodd, 29, who jumped from a first-floor window to escape the blaze, is still being treated for her injuries, in Newcastle General Hospital.
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