TWO brothers have appeared in court accused of murdering a father.

Keith Redpath, 46, of Tower Street West, Sunderland, was stabbed in the chest on Saturday and collapsed in nearby Ridley Terrace.

Police said Mr Redpath, a roofer who was unable to work due to ill health, lived alone and had moved to Hendon from Ryhope two months ago.

Northumbria Police were alerted to the scene at 2.05am on Saturday, and Mr Redpath died just over two hours later at Sunderland Royal Infirmary.

Ryan Ferguson, 18, of St Leonard Street, Sunderland, and his brother Anthony Ferguson, 34, of Tower Street, Sunderland were jointly charged with murder at Sunderland Magistrates' Court this morning.

The pair spoke only to confirm their names.

No application for bail was made, and the chairman of the bench adjourned the case until January 26 at Newcastle Crown Court.