Canalside tribute to much-loved Wolverhampton man stolen an hour after being installed
A shrine set up to honour a much-loved Wolverhampton man who was found dead in a canal last week was stolen just an hour after it had been set up.
Milton Marshall, of Crofters Walk, Pendeford, was found in the canal near to Aldersley Bridge on April 14.
On Friday a group of his friends set up a shrine in his honour on the banks of the canal near to where the popular 60-year-old was found.
It featured his trademark baseball cap, a can of beer and a bouquet of flowers.
But within an hour all three items had vanished from the site.
Now friends of Mr Marshall - who was known as a kind and happy-go-lucky character in both the Pendeford and Park Village areas of the city - have called on the perpetrators to reinstate the shrine.
"It's absolutely disgusting that someone would do this," said Billy Basra, aged 46, from Tettenhall, a long-standing friend of Mr Marshall.
"Milton was loved by everyone. The items that were put down were a mark of respect to him. They're not worth much, but for someone to take them away is really upsetting.
"He always wore the cap. People would recognise him because of it. And he enjoyed a drink. This was a personal tribute made by Milton's friends.
"Whoever has done this I would ask them to put the shrine back in its rightful place.
"People in the community are already upset at losing Milton and this has just added unnecessary upset."
Mr Marshall's body was recovered from the canal shortly after 6.20am on April 14. Police are not treating his death as suspicious.
He grew up in London where he was employed as a council worker before moving to Wolverhampton 15 years ago.
Mr Basra has set up a collection for Mr Marshall's family.
For details on how to contribute call 07930 957640.
