Man charged with murder at hotel

A man has been charged with murder after a 61-year-old man was found dead at a guest house in Newcastle.

Spencer Barnes, 34, has been accused of killing Tony Petersen at Westgate House Hotel in Grangerville South.

A post-mortem examination was carried out and established that Mr Petersen, who lived at the hotel, died of head injuries, police said.

Mr Barnes, who also lived at the hotel, is due to appear at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.