Shropshire Murder – Two Charged

Police in Shrewsbury this afternoon charged two men with the murder of 43-year-old Guy Benson Bebbington.

The men, aged 21 and 18, will appear before Shrewsbury magistrates in the morning.

They have been held in custody at Shrewsbury police station since their arrest by West Mercia Police detectives on Friday night.

A teenage girl, also been held in connection with the death since Friday, has now been released with no further action.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, the officer in charge of the investigation, said: "I can confirm two men have this afternoon been charged with the murder of Mr Bebbington at Shrewsbury between September 5 and 7.  They will remain in custody until their court appearance tomorrow."

Earlier today, police confirmed the victim as Mr Bebbington, of Beaufort Green, Harlescott, Shrewsbury.  He died in hospital on Friday just hours after being found with a head injury shortly before 1am on the old canal footpath between Ditherington Road and Telford Way.

DCI Jamieson also renewed the police appeal for more witnesses to come forward.

 "Several witnesses who saw Mr Bebbington in the Ditherington Road area on Thursday evening have already contacted the police.  We are grateful for their information but believe there may be other people who spotted him that night, who have yet to make contact.

"I urge them to call Shrewsbury CID on 101 as a matter of urgency.  We are anxious to piece together Mr Bebbington's movements leading up to his death and it is vitally important people come forward if they have any information at all which might assist the investigation."

Issued: Monday, 10 September 2012