A 35-year-old Newcastle man has been charged with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder, including on two of his own children, after a domestic dispute in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The incident took place in a depressed public housing area at Wallsend in Newcastle.

The man made a brief appearance at Newcastle Local Court yesterday and was charged with murdering his former partner and her father. He was also charged with attempting to murder his 13-year- old daughter, 14-year-old son and their grandmother.

The boy escaped unharmed but his sister and grandmother both suffered serious stab wounds and were in induced comas in JohnHunter Hospital last night.

A four-year-old girl, who was also in the house at the time, believed to be a cousin, escaped unharmed.

Police recovered the knife thought to have been used in the attack.

Newcastle Magistrate Richard Wakely formally refused bail as the accused sat silently in the dock with his arms crossed. He will reappear via video-link on August 17.

Waratah Local Area Commander Superintendent Dave Swilks said the couple had been having relationship difficulties but had reconciled for a period of five months before separating again in April.

Supt Swilks said police later took out an AVO against the accused in an attempt to protect his former partner after he smashed her car windows.

The murders took place at about 1am. It is believed neighbours called the police after they heard screaming, entered the house and found the bodies.

The man was arrested by police in nearby Thomas Street soon after the incident and spent much of yesterday being questioned by investigators.

Neighbour Tiara Adams, 23, said the woman’s parents had been living in the housing commission home for about six months. Themother moved in with the children about two months ago.

“The children don’t know yet that their mother is gone,” Ms Adams said. “We have been here for 16 years and nothing like this has ever happened. It’s such a shock.”