This morning, two 15-year-old teenage boys will appear in court charged with murder of 59-year-old George Akers.

Akers, who is familiar around Darlington and has been sleeping rough for a while, was found in a Darlington churchyard recently.

At first police thought Akers had died of natural causes but a post-mortem examination revealed massive internal injuries caused by a prolonged and brutal assault. Police released CCTV footage of two people they wanted to speak to and the boys handed themselves in. Both were charged with murder.

Flowers and tributes have been left in the churchyard for George Akers, who was looked upon with affection by many.