A WOMAN has been charged with the murder of her brother, who died after being stabbed at a party in his home.

The blood-soaked body of Ashley Gray was found in the living room of a house in Ferryhill Station, County Durham, late on Friday night.

Police and paramedics were called to High Street, in Ferryhill Station, shortly after 10pm and found Mr Gray with a stab wound in his chest.

The 24-year-old was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for treatment, but later died of his injuries.

His sister, Claire Gray, 21, of Coniston Road, Ferryhill, was charged with his murder and will appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today.

Police cordoned off the house and several properties on either side as they conducted an investigation into the death.

A kitchen knife was recovered from the terraced house by officers.

Eleven people – men and women ranging in age from 16 to 26 – were arrested at the house.

They were held for questioning at police stations across County Durham. Ten were released without charge, but Miss Gray was charged with her brother’s murder on Sunday morning.

Neighbours left flowers and messages of condolence outside the house, which last night was being guarded by a police officer.

Police are conducting doorto- door inquiries to determine what took place.

Last night, the area was being examined by scene of crime officers and it is expected to be cordoned off until later today.

Neighbour Thomas Stevenson said: “A young lad lived there and he hadn’t been in the house very long.

“He was only there about three weeks. He was on his own, but there were other youngsters round there drinking and partying.

“But you don’t expect something like this to happen near where you live.”

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said there had been a lot of activity at the house on Friday.

The neighbour said: “There had been a party in the house for a number of hours, and it sounds like they arrested a lot of people.”

Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in High Street on Friday night is asked to contact police on 0345-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.