A 37-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Barry Dawson, a beloved grandfather who was fatally shot in his home in South Moor, Stanley, sparking grief and shock across the community.
Kelvin Craig Lawson, of Stanley, was formally charged with Dawson’s murder and appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Saturday morning. The hearing marks a major development in the investigation into the April 5 shooting, which has prompted an extensive police operation.
Who Was Barry Dawson?
Barry Dawson, 60, was described by family members as a “much-loved father, granddad, and partner.” He was shot through a downstairs window at his terraced home on Elm Street at around 10:45pm. A post-mortem examination confirmed that he died from a single gunshot wound, launching a murder investigation led by Durham Constabulary.
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A 21-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of murder
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A 20-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman have been charged with assisting an offender
All remain in custody as enquiries continue. Speaking outside Stanley Police Station, Superintendent Peter Carr described the case as “complex and fast-moving,” adding:
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“We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry and are committed to uncovering the full circumstances surrounding Mr Dawson’s tragic death.”
Residents are urged to come forward with any information by calling 101 and quoting incident number 302 of April 5.
