A MAN is due in court today charged with murder after the death of a man on a North-East housing estate.

An unnamed 25-year-old will appear before Sunderland magistrates accused of killing Ian Lawson, 25, of the city's Red House estate.

Mr Lawson, who was unemployed and single, collapsed and died of multiple stab wounds in Retford Road, at about 10.15pm on Thursday.

Hours later, on the same estate, the body of Simon Richardson, 27, of Rutherglen Road, was found.

He had suffered massive blood loss from a neck injury.

Detective Chief Inspector Barbara Franklin said: "There's nothing to suggest there is any connection at this stage with the earlier death in Retford Road.

"We would appeal for anyone who saw Mr Richardson on the night of Thursday and the early hours of Friday to come forward with any information that would help our inquiries.

"It is known that Mr Richardson was out walking his dalmatian on the Thursday night and someone may have seen him."

Meanwhile, a man was arrested in South Shields yesterday after a man was found dead at his home.

The body of Anthony Smythe 49, was discovered at his home in Lawe Road, South Shields, on Friday morning.

Detective Superintendent Tony Thornton said: "Mr Smythe was a well-known figure in South Shields and we would like to speak to anyone who saw him on Thursday evening.

"We are keen to speak to anyone who can give us any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may appear."