A licensee facing a charge of manslaughter was granted conditional bail by magistrates yesterday.

Steven John Webb, 35, who manages the Rise Carr Hotel, in Whessoe Road, Darlington, is accused of killing family man David Willis.

The 51-year-old victim died in Middlesbrough General Hospital on Thursday afternoon, six days after suffering a fractured skull and other injuries in an incident in the pub on Saturday evening.

Mr Webb was originally charged with grievous bodily harm, but the manslaughter charge replaced that allegation at yesterday morning's hearing at South Durham Magistrates Court, sitting at Newton Aycliffe.

The Northern Echo understands that Mr Webb has run the pub for about six months, and is originally from the Harrogate area of North Yorkshire.

He was granted bail with conditions including living at an address away from town, which was given to the court by his solicitor, Graham Hunsley, and that he does not enter Darlington except to attend court or to see Mr Hunsley by pre-arranged appointment.

Mr Willis was married with children, and his wife, Sandra, and twin brother, Brian, were at his hospital bedside when he died.

The case was adjourned for one week.