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Last Updated: Tuesday, 18 March 2008, 12:53 GMT
Murder charge after club attack
Graeme Pounder
Mr Pounder died in Newcastle General Hospital
An 18-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a County Durham clubber who died after allegedly being punched in the head on a dancefloor.

Graeme Pounder, 21, of Potter Place, Stanley, died in hospital after visiting The Loft club in Durham City in the early hours of Sunday.

Joseph Longstaff, 18, of Hollyhill Gardens East, Stanley, appeared before magistrates in Consett on Tuesday.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on 1 April.

The parents of a Mr Pounder said they had been left devastated by the loss of their "much-loved son".

Keith and Carol Pounder, were at their son's bedside when he died.

'Very popular'

Durham Police said Mr Pounder had visited The Loft with a group of friends celebrating a birthday.

In the early hours of Sunday, police say he was struck while on the dancefloor and collapsed.

Club staff and police tried to revive him, but the gardener and part-time taxi clerk died a day later in Newcastle General Hospital.

Mr Pounder lived with his parents and brothers Richard, 24 and Keith, 17 and 16-year-old sister Tiffany.

In a statement, Mr Pounder's parents said: "Graeme was a much-loved son who was very popular.

"He was well-liked by everyone and was a very caring person, especially towards the elderly."

Detectives have appealed for witnesses and are examining CCTV footage from the club's security cameras.



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