Men in court accused of teen’s murder

TWO men have appeared in court accused of murdering Connor Brown.

The 18-year-old, of Farringdon, Sunderland, died in the early hours of Sunday after he was allegedly stabbed behind the Borough pub, in the city centre.

An investigation was launched by police and two men were arrested and charged in connection with his death.

Yesterday, Leighton Barrass, 20, of Hartside Square, Sunderland, and Ally Gordon, 19, of Polmuir Road, Plains Farm, appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court charged with murder.

Gordon was also charged with possession of a bladed article.

The defendants were brought into the dock separately by security guards and they spoke only to confirm their identities during their brief hearings.

No pleas were taken from them and the court was told there would be no applications for bail at this stage.

Their cases were transferred to Newcastle Crown Court, where a bail hearing will take place on Thursday and a plea and case management hearing is scheduled for March 26.

The legal adviser said: “This case must be sent to Newcastle Crown Court. It is an indictable-only offence.”

Barrass and Gordon were remanded in custody.

Connor was found with fatal stab wounds at around 1.30am on Sunday and was taken to hospital, where he died.

Officers are still keen to hear from any witnesses, and have asked anybody with information to get in touch.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101, quoting reference 124 240219, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.