A TEENAGER has appeared in court charged with the murder of a man found dead in his County Durham home.

The body of father-of-one Mark Shaw was found at his home in Pine Street, in Grange Villa, near Chester-le-Street on Saturday, December 17.

This morning, 18-year-old Kieran Adey, from Queen Street in the same village, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via video link charged with murder.

Adey, who spoke only to confirm his name, was not asked to plead to the charge.

Following a brief hearing before Judge Paul Sloan, the case was adjourned to March 13 for a pre-trial hearing.

A trial date was set for June 19.

Adey was remanded in custody.