Teenagers deny New Year's murder

Mr Sharples was looking for his dog when he was attacked

Two teenagers have denied killing a father-of-two who was attacked near his Teesside home on New Year's Day.

Ron Sharples, 52, was found unconscious in the street after an altercation with a group of youths in Marske. He had been looking for the family pet dog.

Scott Fullam, 18, of Mulberry Close, in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, and a 17-year-old Marske youth denied murder at Teesside Crown Court.

They were remanded in custody to face trial in June.

Mr Sharples, from Charwood Close, died from severe head injuries in Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital.