FOUR teenagers appeared before a judge for the first time today on suspicion of murdering Shane Tunney.

The youths - two aged 18, one aged 17, and a 16-year-old - were at Teesside Crown Court this afternoon.

A further three - two 17-year-olds and one aged 16 - will appear before the same judge and court next Wednesday.

All seven were re-arrested and charged last Thursday with murder following the death of Mr Tunney in hospital almost five weeks after an incident on Holly Street in Norton, near Stockton, on June 27.

Kieron Harry Davis, 18, of Holme House Road, Stockton, and Brandon Pitt, 18, of Tithe Barn Road, Stockton, are among those facing a murder charge.

The remaining five defendants cannot be identified due to legal reasons.

It is expected they will be asked to plead guilty or not guilty at a fresh hearing in November.