Accused murderer refused bail in Newcastle

The family of a man who died after he was confronted by the resident of a Newcastle home he allegedly broke into says it's heartbreaking his three young children will grow up without their father.

Ricky Slater, 34, died after allegedly being detained by Benjamin Batterham, 33, at a house on Cleary Street in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He was initially taken to hospital in a critical condition but his life support was switched off on Sunday.

Mr Slater's mother, Beryl Dickson, told media outside Newcastle Local Court on Monday her three grandchildren would now grow up without a father.

"They've lost their father, their beautiful father that they haven't seen for years because he was in jail," she said.

Batterham, who has been charged with murder, did not appear in court or make an application for bail.

He was formally refused bail and is due to face court on Tuesday.