Teenager charged with murdering man in Wheatley Hill

Ross Connelly's body was found at a property in Wheatley Hill on May 1st

Author: Ellie KumarPublished 24th May 2023

A teenager has appeared at court charged with the murder of a man in Wheatley Hill.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court this afternoon charged with the murder of Ross Connelly.

He did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody to appear at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday, June 21.

Officers were called on the morning of May 1 following the discovery of a man’s body at a property in Alexandra Terrace, Wheatley Hill.

He was later identified as 46-year-old Ross Connelly, a much-loved father and grandfather from Shotton Colliery.

An investigation, run by detectives from Durham Constabulary’s Major Crime Team, has resulted in nine other people being arrested in connection with the incident – five men aged 19, 29, 34, 40, and 58, two women aged 18, a woman aged 45, and a 16-year-old boy.

They have all been interviewed by officers and released on bail while further enquiries are carried out.

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