A MAN will appear in court tomorrow charged with murdering antiques dealer and former York businessman Peter Battle.

Graham Richardson, 26, of Riverside View in Norton, is due in Beverley Magistrates Court on Saturday morning, accused of killing 56-year-old Mr Battle, who was found dead in his rural bungalow in Full Sutton nine days ago.

He is charged with one count of murder and one of theft in a dwelling.

Gerry Wareham, of CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, said today: "Following an investigation by Humberside Police, CPS lawyers received a file of evidence relating to the death of Peter Battle. A lawyer has today authorised Humberside Police to charge Graham Richardson with the murder of Peter Battle."

Mr Richardson had been arrested in Malton on Monday and questioned by police.

Mr Battle worked as an antiques dealer and was a well-known figure in local auction houses. He was also a prolific user of the online auction site eBay.

He had formerly been a businessman in York, running a computer business called Ace 4 Computers in Acomb and working as director for a marketing company in Clifton Moor, called Barton Trott Battle.

Former friend and colleague Lez Briddon, of Bell Farm in York, paid tribute in The Press today to Mr Battle.

Mr Briddon said: “He got on well with everybody and was always a happy man.”

He also said his friend had been nicknamed Del Boy due to his entrepreneurial streak.