Two teenagers charged over Sedgley murder

Two teenagers have been charged with the murder of a man who was discovered with serious head injuries near his Sedgley home.

Shane Watson was found during the early hours of Saturday morning. The 23-year-old had been enjoying a night out with family and friends at Sedgley's Ex Servicemens Club before spending the rest of his evening in Monty's Wine Bar, in High Street, in the hours before his death.

Two men, aged 18 and 19, have been charged with murder and were today appearing before magistrates in Dudley.

The heartbroken family of Mr Watson, of Monument Lane, today spoke of their devastation at the killing of a popular and loving man.

His parents, Jayne and Steven, were today too upset to speak about the killing but they did release a statement thanking the community for their support.

They said: "We would like to express our sincere thanks for the way the community have all come together and in the way certain individuals have been so brave as to come forward in giving hard facts that have been of great help to the police.

"The flowers and messages of condolence that have been left is immense and again we would like to say a very big thank you. We had no idea of how popular our boy was until now."

Other family members today shared their memories of the popular car and music lover.

Mr Watson's cousin, Jay, said in a statement: "Shane, you're like a big brother to me. We had so many good times together that I will never forget. I'm going to miss you so much. Love you always, forever and ever."

Another statement read: "Shane, you were a great, funny, kind young man. We had many enjoyable times together but we should have had many more to come. You have been taken away from us too soon. Thinking of you always. Love & miss you lots. Charl & Scott."

A statement from Hannah said: "Shane, you've been such a good friend to me over the past nine years. We had so many good times together and there's so many memories of you that make me smile and I'll never forget them. I just can't believe you've been taken away from us so soon when we should have had plenty more. I will never ever forget you Shane. All my love, Hannah."

• For more on this story, see today’s Express & Star.