Second murder charge over grandfather shooting

Barry Dawson was shot dead by a bullet fired through the window of his house

A second man has been charged with the murder of a grandfather who was shot dead through a window of his house.

Thomas Lee Sterling, 21, from Stanley, was arrested on Wednesday evening over the death of Barry Dawson at the weekend, Durham Police said.

Mr Sterling, who did not enter a plea, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court where he was remanded in custody until his next appearance at Teesside Crown Court on Monday.

Mr Dawson was killed when a bullet was fired through a downstairs front window of his terraced home on Elm Street in Stanley, County Durham, on Saturday afternoon.

Earlier this week, Kevin Dorward, 38, of Annfield Plain, was charged with Mr Dawson's murder, while Michaela Hetherington, 35, also of Annfield Plain, faced a charge of perverting the course of justice.

Police said a 47-year-old man who was wanted in connection with the death handed himself in on Thursday and has been arrested on suspicion of murder, police said.

A 49-year-old woman and 20-year-old man were arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of assisting an offender and have been released on bail pending further investigation.