Barry Dawson shooting in Stanley: Man charged with murder

A man has been charged with murdering a 60-year-old grandfather who was shot in his own home.

Barry Dawson was killed when a bullet was shot through a downstairs front window of his terraced house on Elm Street in Stanley, County Durham, on Saturday afternoon.

Kevin Dorward, 38, of Annfield Plain, has been charged with Mr Dawson’s murder, while Michaela Hetherington, 35, also of Annfield Plain, has been charged with perverting the course of justice.

Both have been remanded in custody and will appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Durham Police said a 21-year-old man had also been arrested on suspicion of murder, while a 20-year-old man and 49-year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All three remain in police custody.

Mr Dawson’s family described him as a “much-loved father, granddad and partner who will be greatly missed”.

“We are truly devastated, and his loss will leave an enormous gap in our lives,” the family said.