A TEENAGER appeared before magistrates yesterday charged with murdering a man with a samurai sword.

Jason Benjamin Kelly, 18, of Outhwaite Lane, Middlesbrough, appeared before Teesside magistrates, speaking only to confirm his name and address.

He is accused of stabbing Robert Dunne with the sword outside the post office in West Lane, Middlesbrough, at 2.45pm on Saturday.

The 31-year-old scaffold worker died after being rushed to Middlesbrough General Hospital after receiving a single stab wound.

Jan Briesley applied to have Mr Kelly remanded in custody until his next court hearing.

A bail application by defence solicitor Mohammed Dowadjee was turned down.

Mr Kelly will appear before Teesside Crown Court on January 23.

A 17-year-old youth and a 14-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, face charges of assault causing actual bodily harm and affray.

The 17-year-old is charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

They appeared before Teesside magistrate Alan Medd, who agreed to free the boys on conditional bail until their next appearance, on January 29.

As part of their bail, both boys will be fitted with electronic tags and live in London until their cases are heard.

They will have to adhere to a curfew, staying indoors between 7pm and 6am.