A MAN accused of killing a dad in what is known as a "single-punch manslaughter" case has appeared before a judge for the first time.
Paul Sutton was at Teesside Crown Court today (Tuesday, December 23) in connection with the death of Mark Dixon following an incident in Hartlepool in October.
Mr Dixon, who lived in Peterlee, County Durham, with wife Lorraine, died in hospital a week after the 4am incident on Victoria Road.
Mr Sutton, 28, of Fordham Road, Sunderland, did not enter a plea during the brief hearing, and was told to return to court on March 6.
He was given bail - which includes a night-time electronic tag curfew - until his next appearance, by Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC.
Mr Dixon, who worked at Britton Decoflex in Hartlepool, and had a daughter, Ella, aged five, died of severe head injuries.
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