'Deeply shocked' boss of shooting victim Barry Dawson pays tribute to grandad
'Much loved' Barry was gunned down in his own home on Elm Street in South Moor earlier this month after a shot was fired through the downstairs window.
The 60-year-old's death left his family 'truly devastated' - and a large-scale probe was launched by Durham Constabulary leading to five people being charged with murder.
Barry worked for the Stanley plant of KP Snacks, which is known for popular crisp brands such as Skips, Space Raiders, Hula Hoops, and Pom-Bears.
Barry Dawson (Image: Durham Police)
And now, plant manager Mick Phillips has issued a tribute to his former colleague, saying staff will be able to attend the funeral to pay their respects.
He said: 'We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of our colleague, Barry Dawson.
'Barry was a highly valued member of the team at our Stanley site and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.
'We've taken immediate steps to support our colleagues as they come to terms with this devastating news, including on-site presence from the leadership team and mental health first aiders, as well as ongoing access to our employee health and wellbeing team.
KP Snacks in Stanley (Image: GOOGLE)
'We'll continue to offer support and will ensure colleagues are able to attend the funeral to pay their respects.'
As previously reported, officers were called to the Elm Street home on April 5 at around 5.20pm following reports of a disturbance.
Mr Dawson was found to have been shot and despite the best efforts of paramedics, he was sadly declared dead at the scene.
Six people have since appeared in court following the incident.
Most recently, Keith Edward Dorward and Sean Reay appeared via a video link at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday accused of murder.
Dorward, also known as Keith Edward Lax, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday. The 47-year-old, of South View Gardens, Stanley, was charged on Saturday.
Police at the scene of the incident (Image: Sarah Caldecott)
29-year-old Reay, of Sabin Terrace, Stanley, was apprehended in Northern Ireland and transported back to Durham on Saturday.
Four others have been remanded in custody, including Kevin Dorward, 38, of South View Gardens, Annfield Plain, who is also charged with murder.
His partner, Michaela Hetherington, faces a single charge of perverting the course of justice, relating to an allegation that she falsely reported a car had been stolen.
Thomas Lee Sterling, 21, of The Avenue, Stanley, was remanded into custody yesterday, Monday, April 14, charged with murder.
Read More on the Stanley shooting:
Two more in court accused of murdering Stanley's Barry Dawson
Everything we know as five charged in fatal Stanley shooting
Stanley shooting: Home boarded up as couple appear in court
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And the final accused, Kelvin Lawson, 37, of Frosterley Gardens, Stanley, appeared at the same time at Teesside Crown Court.
All six defendants are expected to appear at the same court on May 9.
Judge Francis Laird, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, has set a provisional date for the five-week trial which is listed to start on September 22.
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