A man who took part in the killing of a teenager has admitted harbouring a fugitive sought by police in another murder case.

Ally Gordon allowed Anthony Keating to stay at his home in Billingham as police were looking for him in connection with the death of a man in Sunderland, in December 2021.

Keating, now 24, was at large after taking part in the fatal beating of Blaine Hammond, in the early hours of December 3, 2021.

Mr Hammond, 22, was found dead in a telecoms box on the Springwell Estate, Sunderland, later that morning.

Read more: Blaine Hammond murder: Life sentences for killers of Sunderland man

Although co-accused Louis Whelan was arrested shortly afterwards, Keating remained at large for two days before being arrested at the address in Billingham.

Both Keating, of Palmerston Road, Sunderland, and Whelan, also now 24, were convicted of murder after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, in November last year.

They each, subsequently, received life sentences, with a minimum of 14 years to serve, at the court in January this year.

Investigations into the delay in catching Keating led to the arrest of Ally Gordon, another Sunderland man, who was alleged to have provided as safe-haven for him at the address in Billingham, as the police manhunt was taking place.

Gordon, himself, was previously convicted of the manslaughter of Connor Brown, 18, who was killed in a knife attack behind a pub in Sunderland city centre, in February 2019.

Leighton Barrass, 20, of Hartside Square, Sunderland, went on to be convicted of Mr Brown’s murder, but Gordon was said to have also taken part in the attack.

Although he was cleared of murder, he was convicted of manslaughter, but due to time served in custody prior to trial, he was released on licence in late 2019.

As part of his licence supervision conditions, he could not remain in Sunderland and so was staying at the approved property in Billingham.

Gordon last month denied a charge of assisting an offender during a short hearing at Newcastle Crown Court and a trial date was set in December.

Read more: Sunderland man faces trial for harbouring killer after crime

But, appearing back at the court today (Thursday August 17), via video link from Durham Prison, where he has been on remand, Gordon’s counsel, Adam Birkby, asked for the charge to be put to his client once more and he changed his plea to guilty.

Mr Birkby said there was no basis of plea to be given.

“He was aware the man in question had committed a very serious offence.

“He may not have known it was necessarily an offence of murder, at the time.”

Judge Paul Sloan, the Recorder of Newcastle, said: “As I understand it, there had been internet searches and he knew there was a killing.”

Mr Birkby replied: “His phone was used for that purpose. There was clearly a deceased.

“He was on licence at the time and no longer is (having been returned to prison).

“He was under the care of the Probation Service on Teesside and was not allowed to go back to Sunderland under the terms of his licence.”

Judge Sloan agreed to adjourn the case for preparation of a pre-sentence report on the defendant, by the Probation Service.

Read next:

Blaine Hammond murder: Louis Whelan and Anthony Keating found guilty

Leighton Barrass and Ally Gordon jailed for killing of Connor Brown

Connor Brown death: Killer's sentence challenged by Solicitor General

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He told Gordon: “I’m adjourning your case for sentence next month and you will be linked in from prison that day as you have been today.

“You should understand the fact that I’ve adjourned sentence and direct a pre-sentence report be prepared should be taken as no indication as to the eventual sentence.”

Gordon, formerly of Plains Farm, Sunderland, will be sentenced on September 28.