A PENSIONER has appeared in court charged with the murder of an 18-month old boy, almost 50 years after the child's death.

David Alan Dearlove, 70, is charged in connection with the death of Paul Anthony Booth, who died on October 1, 1968.

Mr Dearlove, from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, appeared in the dock at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday. The alleged murder is said to have happened in Haverton Hill, near Stockton, 48 years ago.

The court heard that the 70-year-old also faces one charge of child neglect between January 1, 1968, and October 1 of that year.

Mr Dearlove, who would have been 21 at the time, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during the three-minute hearing.

He did not issue a formal plea to magistrates sitting in the court, however Adam Hodge, defending, said: “I can say that the matters are denied. There will be a trial.”

He said his client would also plead not guilty to assault, neglect or ill-treatment of a child or young person.

Mr Dearlove, who was born in November 1946, was remanded in custody.

Mr Hodge said an application for bail will be made in the future.

Throughout the hearing, the defendant, who wore a dark blue T-shirt with his grey hair parted to the side, was accompanied by a security guard who led him away before the two charges were read out by the court clerk.

Magistrates had sought to prevent any reporting of the dead child’s identity, however a challenge by the press resulted in the order being lifted.

Mr Dearlove will appear at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday morning, where the case is expected to go to trial.