A FIFTH suspect has been charged with the kidnap and murder of a man who is said to have been snatched from his home.

George Smith, 77, appeared before magistrates in Middlesbrough earlier today and will go before Teesside Crown Court on Friday.

The pensioner is the latest to be charged by police investigating the death of 45-year-old John Newton, from Redcar, east Cleveland.

Mr Newton, from Redcar, died on March 21 – two days after he is alleged to have been bundled into a van and savagely beaten. Mr Thomas, of Wykeham Close, Redcar, appeared briefly at Teesside Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody.

His son, also called George, and his grandson, Stephen, as well as Lee Woodier and Andrew Jackson are also being held.

George Thomas, 51, of Charlbury Road, and Stephen Thomas, 29, of Penhill Close, both Middlesbrough, face the same charges.

Mr Woodier, 24, of Shelley Road, and Mr Jackson, 25, of Cornforth Avenue, in Middlesbrough, are also accused of kidnap and murder.

None of the four defendants have entered pleas to any of the charges.

Mr Thomas snr wore a sports top over a white shirt and walked with the aid of a stick when he appeared before magistrates.

At crown court on Friday, his legal team is expected to apply for him to be released on bail.