A TEENAGER charged with murdering a father-of-two could be joined by another youth in the dock, a court heard.

David Scott, 33, died in hospital two days before Christmas after he was stabbed in the back lane of Rose Avenue, Stanley, County Durham. A 16-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared before Newcastle Crown Court via a videolink from Hassockfield Secure Training Centre.

Mark Giuliani, prosecuting, said the case was complex as another youth may yet be charged alongside this defendant.

Mr Scott was stabbed five times, with the fatal blow being a wound to the lung from which he quickly bled to death.

Neighbours alerted police to a disturbance in the street.

Judge James Goss, the Recorder of Newcastle, did not lift reporting restrictions which prevent the defendant being named, due to his age.

He declined bail, ordering the teenager to be remanded in secure accommodation. A plea hearing will be held on March 22, with a trial date set provisionally for June 24.

The judge said: “I am satisfied it is appropriate for you to be remanded in secure youth accommodation, it not being appropriate for you to be granted bail.”

The defendant, who wore a dark sweatshirt, rubbed his eyes and face during the 10-minute hearing.

Mr Scott lived with his mother Janice and his two young children. After his death, she said: “He has a large family in the south of England and they have been torn apart by what has happened.

“Christmas Eve was awful, I was wrapping presents for his children when he should have been doing it and Christmas Day was terrible for his children as he wasn’t there. His little girl was seven on January 2 and wants her daddy back.”