POLICE investigating the death of a 61-year-old man last night charged a 23-year-old man with murder.

He remains in police custody and will appear at Teesside Magistrates Court on Monday.

John Coates was found dead at his flat in Fleet House, Cargo Fleet Lane, Middlesbrough, on Thursday, September 13, having not being seen for four days. He had suffered head injuries.

Mr Coates was last seen on the afternoon of Sunday, September 9, when he had been working on his allotment.

He was found at his flat by a family member after his employer raised the alarm.