A MAN has been charged with murder following a fatal assault over the weekend.

Connor Brown, 18, was found with life-threatening injuries consistent with stabbing in the early hours of Sunday.

He was found injured behind The Borough Pub, in Sunderland, and died shortly afterwards.

Officers have now charged Leighton Barrass, 20, of Hartside Square, Sunderland, with murder.

He is due to appear before magistrates in South Tyneside tomorrow.

A 19-year-old man, who was also arrested on suspicion of murder, remains in police custody and continues to assist officers with their enquiries.

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

Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to Mr Brown, of Farringdon, who was a talented young boxer.

Mr Brown was a member of the Plains Farm Amateur Boxing Club, where he was described as a "very pleasant lad" who never missed a session.

A GoFundMe page set up by friend Tracey Robinson with the family's permission, has raised thousands of pounds.

A tribute on the page said: "Connor was a beautiful, young 18-year-old boy with his life ahead of him.

"I have known this family on a personal level for approximately 20 years. This family does not have one single bad word bone or hair amongst them. They honestly and sincerely are the most loveliest family you could wish to call friends."

Seaburn Football Club, the team Connor played for, posted a tribute on Twitter.

It read: "It comes with deep sorrow to write Seaburn FC midfielder (Connor Brown) passed away last night.

"He was an amazing lad on and off the pitch. He was with us for two years and made a huge impact on all of our lives.

"He loved Seaburn and all of us here loved him."

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