Three charged with murder after death of Peter Phillips in Eston

Peter Phillips died from a single gunshot wound following an incident on Ayton Crescent at around 11pm on Saturday, May 23.

Tony Gaffney, 39, of Ambrose Road in Middlesbrough, Jonathon Spencer, 39, of Normanby Road in MIddlesbrough, and Annaliese McQuilling, 38, of Ayton Crescent, Eston, were not asked to enter a plea when they appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

Peter Philips (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

Judge Francis Laird KC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, listed a provisional three-week trial to start on January 25 next year.

He said: “I have adjourned the case until July 27 when the pre-trial preparation hearing will take place.

“On that day, you will be expected to enter your pleas to the count on the indictment.”

All three were remanded in custody until a pre-trial preparation hearing on July 27.

Emergency services had attended the scene following the incident, where the 47-year-old later died.

Floral tributes were left at the scene, one of the tributes read: “You will always be with me,” while another added: “I will love you forever.”

His family described him as the “heart and soul” of his family saying they have been ‘robbed of him’.

They said: “Peter had a big family who all loved him, he was the heart and soul of our family. We are devastated at his loss and feel we have been robbed of him.

“We would appreciate privacy to grieve and come to terms with what has happened.”