A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of Liam Miller and the attempted murder of a second man.

Samuel Frederick Donley, 19, of Hamilton Drive, Acomb, is accused of killing 20-year-old Mr Miller on Monday after he was found outside a home in the same street.

He has also been charged with the attempted murder of a man in his fifties who was found injured in the street.

The teenager appeared at York Magistrates Court today wearing a grey sweatshirt and trousers and spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Leeds Crown Court on August 4.

Mr Miller from Terrington near Malton was found outside the semi-detached house with multiple stab wounds. He died later in York Hospital.

Donley was arrested at the scene suffering from a self-inflicted knife wound.

A third man, who was passing the incident and attacked while trying to intervene, was also injured and found wounded in a nearby garden.

Mr Miller's family issued a statement which said they were devastated by his death while friends and teachers paid tribute to him.

They said: "We cannot put into words the shock and disbelief we feel about what has happened. Liam was just 20 years old and had his whole life ahead of him.

"He had returned home for the summer from Liverpool John Moores University where he was studying graphic design and illustration. We will miss him more than words can say."

Mr Miller studied Music and Art and Design at York College, before he moved to university to study Graphic Design. 

The College said he was well liked and had many friends who are devastated by his death.  

Angela Newdick, Art & Design tutor at York College said: "Liam was a very talented student, with lots of innovative, quirky and creative ideas.

"He was hardworking and achieved good grades and we were delighted to see him go to university to progress his studies.  

"He fully entered into the life of the Art & Design department at College and enjoyed a trip to Barcelona with us. 

"He was such a lovely boy, happy and full of fun.  Our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at this dreadful time.”

Rob Parker, Mr Miller's music tutor, added: “Liam was a talented guitarist and he loved making music with his band. He was one of the most  friendly, witty, and creative students we have taught.

"Always so positive and cheerful - he was very popular.  Liam will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.”  

Richard Scarth, who has run gyms in both Malton and Norton, trained Liam at his gym for about two and a half years.

He said: “It is a terrible, terrible shock.

“He could put his hand to anything and when Liam Miller was at training we knew we were going to have some fun because he was there.

“When I first met him he was quite shy and timid but he grew in to a man. He was the last person you would ever be offended by.

“He was a very genuine and caring person who always spread joy around him. He was extremely talented and equal to any youngster I have ever looked after.

“His family are lovely and I wish them all the best.”

Police are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Inspector Mark Pearson of North Yorkshire Police’s Major Crime Unit, said: "We know from our enquiries that the second victim, a local man in his fifties, was chased along Hamilton Drive West where he was stabbed close to the junction with Lady Hamilton Gardens.

"We know that the man desperately tried to flag down passing motorists for assistance and we are appealing for those motorists to contact us. The vehicles we want to trace are described as a black car and a white saloon car. We are also keen to speak to any witnesses who were in this area at around 10pm on Monday evening."

Mr Miller played guitar in a local band called Nocebo, and DI Pearson said detectives were looking to find out more about his movements over the weekend up to and including Monday. Anyone who had either been with Mr Miller or had contacted him over the phone or social media is urged to contact police.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police's Major Crime Unit on 01423 539499, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.