A TEENAGER accused of murdering a former satellite television fitter in a Durham pit village has made his first appearance at crown court.

Josh Johnson, 19, appeared at Teesside Crown Court via a video link to Stockton’s Holme House Prison, in connection with the fatal stabbing of Dale Arnold in Kelloe, near Durham.

The victim, 32-year-old Mr Arnold, died following the incident in Front Street shortly before 2pm on August 3.

Locals described the former Sky television fitter, who was forced to quit his job through ill health, as a quiet man who regularly walked his dog Max and went to the gym.

At the height of the inquiry into the incident about 30 detectives from Durham Police along with specialist staff were working round the clock on the case.

Mr Johnson was arrested last Friday (August 5) and later charged with murder.

Prosecutor Robert Crook told the court that forensic inquiries were ongoing and unlikely to be completed until October.

The barrister said the geography of the case meant it would be ordinarily heard at Newcastle Crown Court, but the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Simon Bourne-Arton said the view was that any trial would be heard quicker at Teesside and he was happy to preside over it.

Addressing the defendant, the judge said he would appear in court in person in early November when he would be asked to plead guilty or not guilty.

He said in all likelihood the trial would take place no later than the week of March 6 next year.

Mr Johnson, who wore a grey jumper and white shirt, replied: “Thank you very much, cheers.”

A woman on the front row of the public gallery regularly dabbed away tears during the hearing which lasted about 20 minutes.

Judge Bourne-Arton told family members they would be kept informed about progress in the case.

Mr Johnson, of Middlewood, Ushaw Moor, Durham, was remanded back into custody in the meantime.