Greenwell: Last seen alive on Christmas Eve

The charred body of 73-year-old John Greenwell was found at his home in Fence Houses, near Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham, by firemen who were called to the scene in the early hours of Christmas Day.

A post mortem examination revealed he had been beaten about the head with a blunt object and stabbed.

Stephen Unwin, from Fence Houses, appeared at a special sitting of Houghton-le-Spring magistrates on Monday and was remanded in custody until 14 January.

There was no application for bail.

Mr Greenwell, a bachelor who had lived in the house for 35 years, was last seen alive by his older sister on Christmas Eve.