TWO brothers appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of a man stabbed to death in his own home.

Anthony Ferguson, 34, of Tower Street, Sunderland, appeared before magistrates alongside his 18-year-old brother, Ryan Ferguson, of St Leonard Street, also Sunderland, jointly accused of killing Keith Redpath.

The 46-year-old father, described by his 20-year-old son, Callum, as a decent, hardworking family man, had suffered a single stab wound to the chest.

He suffered the fatal injury during an incident in the early hours of Saturday at the terraced bungalow in Tower Street West, Hendon, Sunderland, where he lived alone.

Mr Redpath staggered from his home and was found collapsed in nearby Ridley Terrace shortly after 2am.

A passing motorist called an ambulance and Mr Redpath was taken to Sunderland Royal Infirmary, but died two hours later.

Police searched the area and discovered some of Mr Redpath’s belongings, including his flat screen television, in the streets near his home.

Mr Redpath, a roofer who was unable to work because of ill health, had lived in the area for only two months.

Originally from Gateshead, he had been living in Ryhope, Sunderland, for the previous 20 years, but had recently split up from his long-term partner.

The Fergusons were led into the dock in handcuffs for the brief hearing at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The older brother, wearing a yellow and grey striped sweater, and the teenager, wearing a grey Tshirt with close-shaved blonde hair and tattoos on his neck, were flanked by three security guards.

The pair spoke only to confirm their names, addresses, and dates of birth. Neither brother entered a plea and the case was adjourned.

No application for bail was made and they were remanded in custody until they appear before Newcastle Crown Court on January 26.

■ Two other men, aged 33 and 21, arrested in connection with the incident have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.