Man remanded over field death

Mr Johnson was walking home from a night out

An 18-year-old man has appeared before Gateshead magistrates charged with the murder of a man whose body was found on playing fields in the town.

The body of Graeme Johnson, 37, a warehouseman from Creslow, in Heworth, was found near Heworth Grange Comprehensive School in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The police say he was walking home from a night out with his family when the incident happened.

Carl Alan Hutchinson, from Long Rigg in Gateshead, was remanded in custody until 18 November, when he will appear at Newcastle Crown Court.

Officers have renewed their appeal for witnesses to the incident, which happened between the Ship pub and the school playing fields on Friday night.

Three other youths being questioned over the death have been released.