SEVEN teenagers have appeared in court charged with the murder of Shane Tunney.

The male youths, two aged 16, three aged 17 and two aged 18, were re-arrested and charged yesterday (Thursday, September 17).

Kieron Harry Davis, 18, of Holme House Road, Stockton, and Brandon Pitt, 18, of Tithe Barn Road, Stockton, appeared before Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

The remaining five teenage defendants, who cannot be identified due to legal reasons, also appeared in the came court.

No pleas were entered at the brief hearing.

All seven were remanded in custody and are due to appear at Teesside Crown Court on Monday.

Mr Tunney died in hospital almost five weeks after the incident on Holly Street in Norton on Saturday, June 27.

The 24-year-old had suffered severe head injuries after he was punched, kicked and possibly beaten with an iron bar.

Police said the assault happened at 2am after Mr Tunney and his friend, Anthony Kirk, had visited a cash machine at Tesco Express on Norton High Street on their way to a local takeaway.

Mr Tunney, a car valeter, was fighting for his life at the James Cook University hospital, in Middlesbrough, when his girlfriend, Vix Cooper, made an appeal for anyone with information to come forward. But he never recovered from his injuries and died a few days later.

A cavalcade of cars later took part in a tribute to Mr Tunney. More than 70 vehicles decorated with a blue ribbon - Mr Tunney's favourite colour - drove slowly down Norton High Street, before heading to Preston Park, in Eaglescliffe, where blue balloons were released.

Last month, police confirmed the driver of an Audi A3 or S3 that was parked near to the Tesco Express at the time of the incident had come forward.

Two male youths, both aged 17, who were arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault remain on bail pending further inquiries.