A MAN has been charged with murder after a man found at the bottom of a staircase with serious injuries to his head later died in hospital.

A Kirk Harland, 46, was found with serious head injuries at the bottom of a staircase at the Esplanade, in Whitby, on 29 September.

He was taken to hospital and remained in a critical condition, but died on October 11, police said.

Relatives say Mr Harland was known locally as ‘Captain’.

The suspect was initially arrested and released on bail in connection with the incident to allow further investigations to take place.

Following further inquiries after Mr Harland’s death, a decision was made to charge the suspect with murder on Friday.

The charge was accepted by the CPS and Michael John White was remanded in custody when he appeared at York Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

The case has been sent to Leeds Crown Court.

Mr Harland’s family say he was known locally as ‘Captain’. They have urged anyone with information about his death to come forward and help the police.

A police spokesperson said: "If anyone has any information about the incident that happened at the Esplanade, Whitby on September 29m which you have not yet shared with detectives, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101.

Quote incident number 12190182584.