Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Two men charged with murdering grandfather after ‘van driven into group’

No pleas were entered when Martin and Shaun Breeze appeared in court via a videolink from prison.

Tom Wilkinson
Monday 25 March 2024 06:32 EDT
Brian Darby died when a van was allegedly driven into a group of people (Cleveland Police/PA)
Brian Darby died when a van was allegedly driven into a group of people (Cleveland Police/PA) (PA Media)

Two men accused of murdering a grandfather when a van was allegedly driven into a group of people have appeared before a judge.

Brian Darby, 60, died following the collision in the Myton Way area of Ingleby Barwick, Teesside, last month.

Martin Breeze, 56, of Irthing Close, Ingleby Barwick, appeared before Teesside Crown Court via a video link from prison.

His co-accused Shaun Breeze, 29, of Owls Grove, Ingleby Barwick, also appeared via a link from prison.

They are charged with murder and three counts of attempted murder.

No pleas were entered and Judge Howard Crowson adjourned the case for a further pre-trial hearing on May 2.

After his death, Mr Darby’s family, also from Ingleby Barwick, released a statement which said: “We are completely heartbroken at the sudden loss of our beautiful Brian.

“Nobody could ever understand just how much he meant to us all.

“He was special in so many ways. He was an absolute gentleman who cared so much about people.

“He always made time for us, nothing was ever too much trouble for him.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in