THE three men accused of the murder of 'kind-natured' Adam Chawla are due to stand trial in August.

The 27-year-old died of injuries he suffered during an alleged incident in Eleanor Place, in Stockton, on Friday, February 19.

Ryan Stewart Burey, 29, of Wembley Way, Stockton; Craig Richard Hardy, 40, of Cambridge Road, Thornaby and Naeem Iqbal, 50, of Eleanor Place, Stockton, all appeared at Teesside Crown Court yesterday morning charged with murder.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough Paul Watson QC remanded all three in custody until their next court appearance next month.

None of the defendants entered a plea to the charge during the short hearing.

The judge provisionally set the trial date for August 16 this year.

The Northern Echo: Adam ChawlaAdam Chawla

Yesterday, his family paid tribute to Mr Chawla. They said: “Adam has lived locally in Stockton since he was two years old and he was a very popular and well known person.

“He was a kind natured person and when he was younger he used to help elderly neighbours with shopping and errands.

“He also used to work in a local restaurant which he really enjoyed.

“Adam comes from a large and very loving family, including his two children aged eight and three and we will all miss him terribly."

  • Anyone with information regarding the incident, or who may have witnessed anything is asked to call Cleveland Police on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.