Sunderland man Wayne Miller appears before crown court judge charged with murder of Andrew Mather

Wayne Miller, 32, of Dene Street, Sunderland, spoke only to confirm his name, age and nationality during a very short hearing at Teesside Crown Court this morning, Wednesday, June 10.

Andrew John Mather, 48, was pronounced dead by paramedics at his home on Aintree Road in the town on June 2.

A large police cordon was in place around the property for a number of days as an investigation into his death was carried out.

Detectives, who were initially treating the death as unexplained, launched a murder inquiry on Thursday, June 4.

Miller today appeared before the Recorder of Middlesbrough, Paul Watson QC, who adjourned the case until until next month.

His barrister Jeremy Barton said no application for bail would be made at this stage, and Miller was remanded in custody until his next hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.

Recorder Watson told him: "This is only to be a short hearing ... to set the date for a pre-trial preparation hearing, which will be on the 6th of July, four weeks from now.

"You will stay in custody from between now and then."

On Sunday, June 7, Northumbria Police confirmed a 45-year old man and two women, aged 38 and 18, who were also arrested on suspicion of murder, were released under investigation in relation to Mr Mather's death.

Police divers launched a search this week at Silksworth Lake as part of the ongoing murder investigation.

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