TWO men have appeared in court charged with the mugging and murder of Tyneside father David Bruce.

Mr Bruce, 32, died two weeks after he suffered serious injuries when he was robbed of two bottles of cider.

The young father, from Gateshead, was attacked as he made his way to his sister's home in Newcastle's West End on August 1.

He suffered a broken nose and facial bruising in the attack, but later went into a coma at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary. He was placed on a life support machine, but died two weeks later after his organs failed.

The shock devastated his six-year-old son Jonathan, and his father, Ronald.

Steven Clark, 18, of no fixed address, and Daniel Lappin, 19, of Dilston Road, Arthurs Hill, Newcastle, both pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery, at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday.

The pair were remanded in custody until a further hearing on December 18