Two men have been charged with the murder of a 26-year-old man who died in a suspected ammonia attack.

Andy Foster was attacked when he opened the door to a property he was inside in Wrekenton, Gateshead, on 20 August.

Ambulances attended the scene at around 11pm and found him in a critical condition before taking him to hospital, where he died shortly afterwards.

Kenneth Fawcett and John Wandless, both 32, have been charged with murder, Northumbria Police said.

Fawcett, of Balkwell Avenue, North Shields, and Wandless, of no fixed abode, are due to appear before magistrates sitting at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday.

Two women and a man who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and another man who was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, have been released under investigation.

Detective Inspector Tomasz Fowler of Northumbria Police said: “Our thoughts remain firmly with Andy’s loved ones at this extremely difficult time and we will continue to offer them all the support that they need.

“We would like to thank members of the public for their continued support and cooperation throughout the past week.

“Whilst these charges are a big step forward, it’s important to remember this investigation is far from over and we are still keen to hear from anyone with information which could help us in our enquiries.”

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Mr Foster’s family said in a statement on Friday: “Andy was such a kind and funny boy who was so loved by his family and many friends.

“He was our only son – as well as a loving and supportive partner, grandson and cousin – and was particularly close with his grandad who was very special to him. We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken beyond words that we have sadly lost our boy.

“Andy still had his whole life left ahead of him – and we are struggling to come to terms with the fact that he is no longer here with us.”

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