FIVE men have appeared in court charged with the murder of Steven Willis.

The defendants are accused of killing the 27-year-old, who is also known as Steven Pickering, following an incident earlier this week.

The five men, all known to each other, are also facing separate charges of grievous bodily harm or wounding with intent on two other men.

All five were arrested following an incident on Monday evening on Meadowcroft Drive, Normanby, Middlesbrough.

The public gallery of Teesside Magistrates’ Court was filled with family and friends of the defendants while the family of the victim sat in the rear of the courtroom throughout the hearing.

Dominic John Pickering, 22, of Grinkle Avenue, Middlesbrough, spoke only to confirm his name and address. He faces one charge of murder and two charges of GBH.

Jack Cross, 21, of Olney Walk, Middlesbrough, is charged with the same offences on the same three victims.

Kieran Thomas Ibitson, 20, of Beresford Crescent, Middlesbrough, is facing one charge of murder and two charges of wounding with intent.

Mark Andrew Pickering, 32, Greenham Close, Middlesbrough, is charged with murder and two charges of wounding with intent.

Jahmal Weaver, 21, of Rounton Green, Middlesbrough, is charged with murder and two charges of GBH.

Sobs and gasps were heard from the courtroom when Mark Pickering and Kieran Ibitson appeared in the dock together. Shouts of ‘I love you’ were heard as the defendants were taken away.

No pleas were indicated and all five will appear at Teesside Crown Court tomorrow.

District Judge Timothy Capstick remanded all of the defendants in custody and there was no applications for bail this morning.

Two other men aged 17 and 44 are also being treated at James Cook University Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and are both in a stable condition.

  • A 32-year-old man has today been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and currently remains in custody.