THE two men charged with the murder of student John Paul Jeffries have been remanded in custody.

A 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and 34-year-old Darren Gibson, of Raeburn Street, Hartlepool, appeared before magistrates in the town yesterday, charged with murder and theft. They were ordered to be remanded in custody until next Thursday.

The body of 18-year-old John Paul, of Lowthian Road, Hartlepool, was found by fishermen on rocks at Hartlepool marina on January 24.

He had sustained head and body injuries