FOUR people have today appeared in court accused of murdering John Littlewood.
James Nathan Riley, 30, and Donna Balfour, 35, both of Ninth Street, along with Marty Lee Bates, 29, and Tracey Amanda Bunney, 44, of Tenth Street, all Blackhall Colliery, have been jointly charged with the murder of Mr Littlewood, between July 27 and July 31.
Mr Riley and Miss Balfour also face a joint charge of threatening or intimidating a woman they knew or believed to be a witness in the case, in Blackhall Colliery on July 29, with the intention of obstructing the investigation.
All four appeared separately at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court this morning.
No pleas were entered by any of the defendants and magistrates declined jurisdiction.
The case was adjourned to Teesside Crown Court tomorrow.
All four were remanded in custody but solicitors representing Mr Riley and Miss Balfour, who is pregnant, said an application for bail is expected to be made to the High Court.
Mr Littlewood – known as John D – was found dead in a house in the village on Tuesday, July 30.
The 36-year-old died as a result of head injuries.
Durham police said a 31-year-old man who was also arrested on suspicion of murder has been released under investigation.