Victim was ex-butcher

A murder victim whose badly-burned body was found near Wolverhampton Market was a former butcher and a popular member of the city's Elvis Presley Fan Club, it emerged today.

This is the first picture of Darren Guy Eaton, who was set on fire and dumped just yards from the city centre butcher's shop where he used to work.

The 42-year-old divorcee had lived in Pendeford but moved to Hydes Road, Wednesfield.

He was today described as "charming and fun-loving" by fan club chair Barbara Wilson, of Upper Vauxhall, Wolverhampton.

Mr Eaton worked at Sandhu Meat & Poultry, School Street, until seven years ago – near where his body was discovered on a grassed area in Salop Street at 12.45am last Wednesday.

He also worked at Dave Silverton Butchers in the Mander Centre. He did not have any children.

"I had known him through the club for about 20 years," the 64-year-old said. "All the women in Dave Silverton's used to say 'I want Darren to serve me' because he used to give them a bit of charm. Everybody knew him.

"He was a good-looking guy and had a bit of an eye for the girls. We used to go on club boat trips along the River Severn – he was a really sociable chap and always put his name down for everything."

Mrs Wilson said she was "shocked and upset" by his death, adding he would be sadly missed by his friends in the fan club.

Jason John Perks, 36, originally of Stoke-on-Trent but now of no fixed address, appeared before city magistrates on Saturday charged with Mr Eaton's murder. A post-mortem confirmed Mr Eaton died of head injuries.

Perks was remanded in custody to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court later this month.