A TEENAGER has appeared in court accused of the murder of a man found in a country lane.

Ten months after bachelor David Williamson died in hospital from head injuries, 18-year-old James William Payling was charged with the killing.

Mr Williamson, 58, was found unconscious on the road between Huby and Sutton-on-the-Forest, near Easingwold, North Yorkshire, last March. He died in Leeds General Infirmary.

At a hearing in Harrogate yesterday, magistrates remanded Payling, of Kirkgate, Ripon, in custody to appear before a judge at York Crown Court on Monday.

He is also facing further charges, including burglary at a house in Grove Road, Harrogate, on Thursday or Friday of last week - where car keys and a Renault Espace were stolen - together with dangerous driving on the A167, A168, A19 and A1 roads, last Saturday night.

Presiding magistrate Ivan Lester ordered Payling to be remanded in custody until Wednesday, February 13, on those charges, so that papers could be prepared for committal to the same crown court.

Payling is also accused of leaving a filling station at Leeming, North Yorkshire, on Saturday night without paying a £50.12 petrol bill, failing to stop for police on the A167 at South Otterington, near Northallerton, and driving on a provisional licence unaccompanied and being uninsured.

He also faces charges of using threatening behaviour with intent to cause a police officer to believe immediate violence would be used, in Dishforth, on Saturday night, and with possession of cannabis at the same place and time.

Defence solicitor Sandra Keen made no application for bail and reporting restrictions were not lifted.

A huge police investigation followed the death of Mr Williamson, of Sutton-on-the-Forest.

Detectives asked all males over the age of 14, living in Huby and Sutton-on-the-Forest, to volunteer for DNA testing as part of the inquiry.