SEVERAL items have been stolen from the home of a man who was found dead at his home last week.

A mobile phone and a bicycle were among the articles taken from Keith Philpott's home in Axbridge Court, High Grange, Billingham.

Although the distinctive orange and silver Harlem USA Thunder mountain bike has now been recovered, the Nokia 6600 phone is still missing along with other items and police say that it is "imperative" that they are found.

Mr Philpott, 36, was found dead in his flat on March 24, with his hands and legs bound and multiple stab wounds.

Detective Superintendent Tony Hutchinson, of Cleveland Police's murder investigation team, said: "We know these items were among property at his flat, and they are not there now.

"It is important that we do recover them and we would appeal for anyone who knows where they are to get in touch.

"We have done searches in the immediate area which have drawn a blank."

The bike was traced to the home of an 18-year-old youth, who said that he had found it dumped in a beck in Billingham and had retrieved it for his own use. It is now under examination.

Two men, Sean Swindon, 24, from Middlesbrough and 21-year-old Michael Peart of Norton, have been charged with Mr Philpott's murder.

Anyone with information about the missing property is asked to contact Cleveland Police on (01642) 301294.