TWO teenage boys have appeared in court accused of murdering a homeless man.
The boys, both aged 15, are jointly charged with the murder of 59-year-old George Akers, whose body was found in a Darlington churchyard last weekend.
The boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are from the Darlington area.
They appeared before Newton Aycliffe Youth Court, accompanied by members of their family, this afternoon.
No pleas were entered and the case was adjourned to Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday morning.
Both boys were remanded into secure local authority accommodation.
Mr Akers' body was found on the morning of Saturday, June 12, under a tree in the grounds of St Cuthbert's Church.
Mr Akers, who had been sleeping rough for some time, was a familiar figure in Darlington and floral tributes have since been laid at the scene of his death.
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