TWO youths appeared in court today (Friday, March 22) to deny murdering a 33-year-old father-of-two.

The defendants, who are aged 16 and 17 and cannot be named for legal reasons, were at Newcastle Crown Court for a brief plea hearing.

They were charged with murdering David Scott, who died in hospital two days before Christmas after he was stabbed in the back lane of Rose Avenue in Stanley, County Durham.

The 17-year-old wore a black long-sleeved top for the hearing, while the 16-year-old had on a grey suit, white shirt and black tie.

Judge James Goss, the Recorder of Newcastle, remanded them both into youth detention accommodation until their trial, which will take place in June or July.

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 after seeing two men kicking another on the ground.

Mr Scott lived with his mother, Janice, and his two young children.

After his death, she said: ''His little girl is seven in January and she just wants her daddy back.''