A WOMAN has appeared in court charged with murdering her brother at a party.

Claire Gray appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court, County Durham, flanked by two female security guards, yesterday.

Miss Gray, 21, of Coniston Road, Ferryhill, County Durham, spoke only to confirm her name and address.

She is charged with the murder of Ashley Gray, 24, whose blood-soaked body was found in the living room of his home at about 10pm on Friday.

Mr Gray suffered a single stab wound to the chest during a party at his home on High Street, Ferryhill Station.

He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital but later died there.

A kitchen knife was recovered from the terraced house.

Police officers were stationed outside the house which was cordoned off with several others in the street.

Neighbours left flowers outside the house while police scene of crime officers investigated the incident.

Police were yesterday conducting door-to-door inquiries to see if any of the neighbours could help them with the investigation.

Eleven people, both men and women ranging in age from 16 to 26, who were in the house at the time of the attack were arrested.

They were held at various stations across County Durham where they were questioned about the stabbing.

Miss Gray, who was one of those arrested, was charged with her brother’s murder on Sunday morning.

The other ten people arrested were released without charge late on Sunday.

Magistrates yesterday remanded Miss Gray in custody and transferred the case to Teesside Crown Court.

She is due to appear at the crown court, in Middlesbrough, tomorrow.

Miss Gray’s family were at the back of the court during her brief court appearance yesterday and she blew a kiss to them as she left the courtroom.

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.