THREE men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man found dead in a house in Hartlepool.

Hemwand Ali Hussain, 30, a father to two young boys, was found in a property on Charterhouse Street, in September.

Noza Saffari, 38, Anxhelo Xhaferi, 23, and Dorian Pirija, 32, are charged with murdering Mr Hussain, who was from Middlesbrough.

Saffari, of Park Lane, Middlesbrough, and Xhaferi, of Acton Street, Middlesbrough, and Pirija, of Trillo Avenue, Bolton, appeared in court via video link to Durham Prison.

The case was adjourned until December when the defendants will be asked to enter a plea to the charge.

Cleveland Police are still searching for three other men in connection with the murder.

Detectives have information to suggest the first man they’re looking for was a passenger in silver Mercedes E Class. He is thought to have links with Bolton, Sheffield and Leeds. He’s in his early 40s with very short or shaved dark hair and dark facial hair.

The force has shared images of two further men. The men pictured are thought to have potential links with Bolton, Sheffield and the Edgware, Primrose Hill and Kilburn areas of London.

The first man appears to be aged in his 20s and is pictured in a light coloured sweatshirt top with dark bands around the arms and the logo ‘Fila’. He is wearing dark utility-style trousers and light trainers. He has a medium, muscular build and short black hair which is longer on top.

The second man is pictured wearing a light or grey t-shirt and jogging bottoms and trainers with light and dark markings. He also appears to be in his 20s or early 30s with a medium, muscular build.

A £10,000 reward has been offered to find the men. Visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call 0800-555-111 with information.

A trial is expected to take place in February.