A teenager has denied murdering a man in his 60s whose body was found in a North East flat in the summer.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, spoke only to confirm his name before entering his not guilty plea to the murder of Alan Garbutt.
The 62-year-old, from East Cleveland, died following an alleged incident at Helmsley House, Guisborough.
Cleveland Police sealed off the area around the block of flats for two days while they carried out their investigations.
A 43-year-old man and a 28-year-old man previously arrested on suspicion of murder have been released with no further action.
Judge Howard Crowson remanded the teenager to a young offenders’ institute until his trial at Teesside Crown Court which has been scheduled for January 23 next year.
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Following his death, Alan’s family paid tribute to him, saying: “Our beloved dad, grandad and brother will be missed dearly but will never be forgotten.”
Fire crews and ambulance crews also attended the block of flats at Helmsley House in Guisborough, from around 2.20am on August 8, where the body of Mr Garbutt was discovered.
Speaking at the time, one neighbour, whose home overlooks the block of flats, said: “The police have been there since the early hours – I haven’t slept for two days now.
“We just want to know what has happened for our own safety.”
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