Uncle leads tributes to murder victim Shane Watson, 23
The uncle of murder victim Shane Watson led tributes to his "honest and hard-working" nephew during a memorial service.
Gary Watson spoke to around 60 people who attended the family-organised service at All Saints Church in Sedgley last night. He talked of the pain felt following the 23-year-old's death and his final memory of the young man, who was attacked in an alleyway off Springfield Grove.
He said: "I've got a lot of fond memories of Shane, we always had a laugh, he always cheered me up, but the one memory is the last time I saw Shane.
"We had been to a party, I had a good night. I was about to leave and Shane asked me to go out, he said if I didn't go he wouldn't go. We had a great night. He stood next to me all night. He made me feel young again, out with the lads.
"Then, when I started to go I said my goodbyes. I put my arms around him and had a big man hug. I will never forget that moment – it will live with me forever."
He added: "I will never forget you mate, you will always be in my thoughts, I love you big man."
Church Rev Rob Parker-McGee, who led the service, has been meeting the family regularly since Shane's death. He urged Shane's friends and family to respond to his death by working together to tackle antisocial problems in Sedgley and Gornal.
A private funeral for Shane, who died at Russells Hall Hospital on July 29, will take place shortly.
Shylon Wishart, 19, of North Springfield, and James Cartwright, 18, of Sandyfields Road, are charged with Shane's murder.
