A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a young Sicilian couple last week.

Andrea Cardinale, 21, appeared before Teesside Magistrates Court on Boxing Day (December 26) charged with two counts of murder.

Last week (December 21) the bodies of a young Italian couple, both in their 20s, were found in a flat on Thornaby Road.

Read more: Parents welcome festive bundle of joy into the world on Christmas Day

The pair have now been formally identified as 26-year-old Antonio Calabro, known as Nino, and his 20-year-old fiancé Francesca Di Dio.

The Northern Echo: Forensic officers at a property on Thornaby Road, Thornaby, where the bodies of two people were found.Forensic officers at a property on Thornaby Road, Thornaby, where the bodies of two people were found. (Image: Picture: Graeme Hetherington)

According to reports Francesca had travelled from Italy to visit her partner for Christmas before they were both found dead.

On Christmas Eve Cardinale was charged with two counts of murder.

To get more stories direct to your email basket go here 

Cardinale, of Thornaby Road, Thornaby, was remanded in custody following a short appearance before magistrates on Monday morning and will appear before Teesside Crown Court on Thursday (December 29).

A police cordon remains at the scene, and is expected to remain there for a number of days.

The families of the victims are both being supported by specialist officers.

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here