TWO men accused of murdering a North-East father have appeared in court.

Gavin Moon, 31, was found with a fatal stab wound at a property on Trafalgar Road, Washington, shortly after 2pm last Tuesday.

Brian Goldsmith and Luc Barker were charged by detectives over the weekend and appeared in court on Monday.

Goldsmith, 47, of Wayman Street, Sunderland, was brought to South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

Greg Flaxen, for Goldsmith, made no representations.

Barker, 28, of Trafalgar Road, Washington, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court, facing the same charge and the case against him was also adjourned.

No pleas have been taken.

Both defendants are to appear at Newcastle Crown Court in Newcastle on January 16 and have been remanded in custody until then.

A 36-year-old man, who was previously arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been released with no further action to be taken.

A fourth man, aged 46, who was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been released under investigation.