A provisional trial date has been fixed in the case of a man accused of a knife-point murder at a residential property, two days before Christmas.

Andrew Peacock was arrested at the scene of the alleged killing of Lee Santos, at an address in John Street, just off the sea front in Cullercoats, North Tyneside, last Friday (December 23).

Emergency services were called to the property shortly before 4.30pm where Mr Santos, from Wallsend, was found with stab wounds.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, the 45-year-old was declared dead at the scene.

Read more: Cullercoats murder: Andrew Peacock appears at Newcastle Magistrates

Mr Peacock, 43, of John Street, was subsequently charged with his murder and appeared before Newcastle Magistrates court on Monday (December 26) morning.

The charge was not put to him at that hearing.

He was remanded in custody prior to today’s preliminary hearing in the case at Newcastle Crown Court.

Although he was neither produced at court for the hearing or made available to appear via video link from Durham Prison, a time table was set for the case.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, announced stage dates following a plea hearing at the court, next month.

Read next:

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               Murder probe launched after man dies in Cullercoats stabbing

               Alexander Carr appears in court charged with murder of Michelle Hanson

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The service of the prosecution evidence must be made by February 14, with the defence case submitted by March 14.

Judge Paul Watson KC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, who presided over today’s hearing via video link, agreed on a provisional trial date, to start on Monday June 26, which is the date of the custody time limit deadline to detain the defendant.

Mark Harrison, representing the defendant, made no bail application on behalf of Mr Peacock, who will remain in custody, pending the plea hearing on Monday January 23.