Three teenagers charged with murder of Scott Anderton

Liam Bailey, 18, of Diamond Street, Leigh, and two boys – aged 16 and 17 – who cannot be named for legal reasons, have all been charged with one count of murder.

They have been remanded to appear at Manchester Crown Magistrates’ Court today (Monday, March 29).

Police were called shortly before 7am on Thursday, March 25 to a report of a body in the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

A police underwater search team attended, along with firefighters and paramedics, and the body of a man was recovered from the canal later that morning.

Police later confirmed 33-year-old Scott Anderton from Leigh had died of multiple stab wounds and a blunt trauma injury.

Scott's family paid a heartbreaking tribute to him yesterday, in a statement issued by the police.

They said: “As a family we would like to thank everyone for their support and kind words in what has been the most heart breaking time of our lives.

“As you can imagine our family are still struggling to come to terms with what has happened and will never understand why someone would want to hurt Scott.

“Scott did not have a bad bone in his body and was genuinely the most caring, loving, kindest person you could meet. The love for his family meant everything to him.

“He made time for anyone he met and would always be there if anyone needed help. Even on the darkest of days Scott was always positive and had the cheekiest smile which was infectious.

“Scott was our kid!

“Our family have been robbed of a son, dad, grandson, brother, nephew and uncle. There is an emptiness which can never be filled and our family will never come to terms with their loss.

“The only comfort we can find in all this madness is knowing that he will finally be at peace with his precious baby girl back in his arms.

"You are truly loved Scott. We promise you will never be forgotten and your memory will live on so it's not goodbye forever, our kid, but just goodbye for now.

“You will forever be our diamond in the mud.”

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