Charges withdrawn against Wigan murder probe dad

A father whose violent death outside Wigan Parish Church is the subject of a murder probe was facing criminal charges himself at the time, borough magistrates have heard.

Steven McMyler suffered fatal injuries in an incident on the evening of Thursday August 6.

Since then 19-year-old Jordan Short from Rushey Hey Road, Kirkby, plus two juveniles aged 13 and 17 and who cannot be identified, have been charged with the Marsh Green 34-year-old’s murder.

They are next due to appear before a Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court judge on October 30 and a provisional date of February 1 next year has been set for their trial.

Floral tributes outside Wigan Parish Church

At Wigan’s law courts, charges that Mr McMyler has been caught drink-driving while banned from the road and ininsured were withdrawn in the light of the tragedy.

A further charge was also dropped that he had been found in possession of an air rifle when prohibited from doing so on account of having served a prison sentence of more than three months in the last five years.

After his death, Mr McMyler’s family said he was “a popular lad” who had “a heart of gold”.

Balloons, flowers and many other tributes to Mr McMyler were left in the church grounds and more than £5,000 was donated to help pay for his funeral.