A man has appeared in court to deny murdering his ex-partner in a knife attack in the street.

Torbjorn Kettlewell, 30, of The Oval, Hartlepool, appeared at Teesside Crown Court via a videolink, charged with murdering mother-of-three Kelly Franklin last month.

He also faced a separate charge of possessing a knife, which he denied.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC fixed the trial, which is expected to last a week, for January 14.

Kettlewell, also known as Ian, was remanded in custody.

Ms Franklin, who was 29 and from Kipling Road in Hartlepool, was found dead on Oxford Road in the town on August 3.