A PROBE into the death of a North-East football fan in Holland last year is coming to a close.

Next month, a 42-year-old Dutch national will appear in court accused of killing Middlesbrough supporter Brendan O'Connor, 36.

But the judge who will preside over the case has already been in the North-East to hear from a "significant" witness in the case.

Senior Investigating Officer Hans Korff, Detective Sergeant Leo Starvers and public prosecutor Jasper Mull were also on Teesside as part of the investigation.

A makeshift courtroom was created at Cleveland Police headquarters, in Middlesbrough, so the judge could hold the hearing in private.

The Dutch legal system allows an examining judge to interrogate witnesses, while the prosecutor and defence lawyers can also ask questions.

All the evidence is heard ahead of the main hearing, which will be at Amsterdam's main court on June 14.

Under Dutch law, there is no jury, but Mr O'Connor's family will be allowed to speak to the judge about the impact his death has had on them.

Mr O'Connor was stabbed to death outside Bar Pinockio, in Amsterdam, at about 2.30am on November 25 after watching Boro take on AZ Alkmaar in the Uefa Cup.

He was with a friend, Howard Boville, 38, of Stockton, who was also stabbed. Mr Boville suffered serious damage to his pancreas and only returned home in January from a Dutch hospital.

Mr O'Connor was originally from Teesside, but moved to London 16 years ago, where he lived with his wife, Tanya, a headteacher.