A LICENSEE appeared in court yesterday charged with killing a family man during an incident at the pub he manages.

Steven John Webb is accused of the manslaughter of David Willis, 51.

The incident is alleged to have happened in the Rise Carr Hotel, Whessoe Road, Darlington, on the evening of Saturday, May 18.

Mr Willis, of William Street, Darlington, died the following Thursday, in Middlesbrough General Hospital, having suffered a fractured skull.

Mr Webb, 35, was granted conditional bail to live at an address away from Darlington when he appeared before South Durham magistrates, sitting at Newton Aycliffe.

The case was committed to Teesside Crown Court and Mr Webb will appear for a plea and directions hearing on Monday, June 24.