A brother and sister appeared in court today in connection with the murder of a father-of-six on his doorstep in Oldbury.

Stephen Lal, aged 50, of St Luke’s Road in Wednesbury, was remanded in custody by magistrates in Warley after being last night charged with Charles Kelly’s murder.

His sister, Helen Lal, aged 46, from Hillfield in Smethwick, was appearing before the same court this afternoon accused of perverting the course of justice by giving her brother a fake alibi.

Lal, who was wearing a cream jacket and spoke only to confirm his name and address, was remanded in custody pending a hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court tomorrow.

Mr Kelly died on July 16 from multiple stab wounds.

The 57-year-old carpenter had been asleep in bed with his wife Marlene when someone knocked on his door of his home in Marshall Road, Oldbury, at around 10pm.

He got out of bed to answer it and was repeatedly stabbed seconds later.

He was taken to City Hospital in Birmingham, where he was pronounced dead.

Flowers still surround the family home, along with porcelain angel figurines and prayer cards in memory of Mr Kelly.

He had lived at the house for around 30 years and police said he had been drinking at The George Pub in George Road, Oldbury.

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Pav Shergill said today: “A 50-year-old man from Wednesbury was last night charged with the murder of Charles Kelly.

“Mr Kelly died on Friday July 16 from multiple stab wounds.

“He was found outside his address just before 10pm on Marshall Road, Oldbury.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police at Sandwell on 0345 113 5000.