A MAN has appeared in court charged with offences linked to the fatal shooting of an east Cleveland grandfather.

James Hume is charged with two counts of possessing a firearm without a certificate following the investigation into the death of 58-year-old Christopher Kay.

Hume is the second person to face criminal charges over the incident after Jamie Hellings admitted killing Mr Kay and carrying a weapon.

The 31-year-old, of Cloverhill Drive, Loftus, denied both charges when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

It is alleged he had a firearm, namely a lethal barrelled weapon without a certificate and a silencer without a certificate.

The alleged offences happened on August 21 last year in Carlin How – the day Mr Kay was shot dead.

Hume's case will be listed for a mention hearing on May 24 this year.

  • Hellings, 32, of Coronation Road, Loftus, will be sentenced for the manslaughter of Mr Kay later this year.