A homeowner has been charged with murder after he allegedly confronted a burglar who broke into his house on Saturday morning and left the intruder with fatal injuries.

Police say Richard James Slater, 34, known as Ricky Slater, broke into a house in Cleary Street in the Newcastle suburb of Hamilton early on Saturday.

Benjamin Batterham, 33, who lives at the home with his young family, is believed to have found Mr Slater inside his house about 3.30am.

Mr Batterham and a 32-year-old friend became involved in a fight with Mr Slater, which continued outside on the street