A MAN accused of murdering a fellow asylum-seeker in a flat above a pizza shop has made his first appearance before a judge.

Afghan national Barat Ramzani did not enter a plea during the five-minute hearing at Teesside Crown Court yesterday.

Mr Ramzani, of Park Road, Hartlepool, was arrested in Southampton last Thursday - a day after his flat-mate was found dead.

Paramedics were called to the flat in Park Road, above Italiano's Pizzeria, at last Wednesday and found the body Seyed Kabir Ategh Gan.

Cleveland Police said 22-year-old Mr Gan had suffered multiple stab wounds as well as other injuries.

A provisional date of January 21 was set for the trial - which could last up to two weeks - by the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, QC.

No application for bail was made yesterday by Mr Ramzani's solicitor, John Ellwood, who told the court that his client has over-stayed his visa.

Mr Ellwood said Mr Ramzani had worked in the UK and at pizza shops for "a number of years".