A man has made a brief appearance in court charged with the murder of a young Italian couple living in the North East.

Andrea Cardinale is accused of murdering 26-year-old Antonio Calabro, known as Nino, and his 20-year-old fiancé Francesca Di Dio last December.

On December 21, the bodies of the couple were found in a flat on Thornaby Road, Thornaby.

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

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The 21-year-old appeared at Teesside Crown Court via a video link where a date for a further hearing was set for April 12 to allow time for medical reports to be completed.

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)

A police cordon remained at the scene for a number of days while forensic investigators worked at the scene.

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

The Italian national’s trial is listed for July this year and he was remanded in custody.