Murder charges in North Shields house death probe
Three men have been charged with the murder of a man whose body was found at his home in Tyneside.
Andrew Smart, 47, was found at his home in Sibthorpe Street, North Shields, on 28 February.
Three men, two aged 20 and one aged 18, have been charged with murder and conspiracy to steal. A fourth man, aged 19, has been charged with conspiracy to steal.
They appeared before North Tyneside Magistrates Court on Friday.
Stephen Kirkpatrick, 20, of Balkwell Green, North Shields, Ryan Saint, 20, of Rudyerd Street, North Shields, and Ryan John William Leck, 18, of Lower Rudyerd Street, North Shields, are charged with murder and conspiracy to steal.
Anthony Smith, 19, of Gardner Place, North Shields, is charged with conspiracy to steal.
All four were remanded in custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on 3 August.