Community shocked by teenager's death (From Leigh Journal)

Community shocked by teenager's death

11:22am Wednesday 25th November 2009

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A COMMUNITY has been saddened by the tragic death of 15 year-old John Michael Marsh John, a pupil at Golborne High School, who until recently lived in Lowton, was a former NW Counties player who had played with Leigh Miners Rangers.

He was fatally wounded on Saturday following a street disturbance in Hempstead Close, Sutton Heath, St Helens at about 11.40pm.

Police, paramedics and doctors fought in vain to save John but he died from his injuries shortly after arrival in hospital.

Shocked neighbours, team mates and school friends are still coming to terms with the incident.

David Lythgoe, headteacher at Golborne High, paid tribute to a “popular and charismatic young man.”

He said: “The school community is greatly shocked by this tragic incident. He was well known by all year groups in school. He was outgoing and confident, able to mix comfortably with adults and pupils alike. He will be greatly missed by all in school.

“Assemblies have been held for the pupils and support is in place for those closest to him and who are affected the most.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

The popular prop forward had recently moved to the Thatto Heath area of St Helens and his former coach at Haydock, Chris Park, described John as “always a pleasure to work with at training, a really nice, pleasant lad”.

A Facebook RIP page in John’s honour has been opened, and it is a reflection on his popularity to see that it has already attracted hundreds of messages.

The mother of one of John’s friends wrote: “The tributes that are coming in for this young lad are not just because he has died; they are because he was a well thought of, polite, genuine, popular young man. John called at our home frequently for our son and was always well mannered and clearly well brought up.

"Through the cruel actions of others I now have a child who at 14 has to deal with the grief of not only losing a friend but having to deal with the deplorable way in which his life was taken from him”.

The NW Counties 13-15s' League has expressed sincere condolences to John's parents, family and friends and has asked clubs to hold a minute's silence at weekend matches in his honour.

*A 17-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with murder after schoolboy John Marsh was knifed six times.

The St Helens youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of murdering 15-year-old John by stabbing him during a confrontation on Hempstead Close, Sutton Heath late on Saturday night.

John died in hospital after he suffered wounds to his abdomen, arms and chest.

The defendant was remanded in custody until a further hearing on Tuesday, December 1 at St Helens Youth Court, for committal to Liverpool Crown Court on January 4.

A 44-year-old woman, who had been arrested in connection with John’s death and on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, has been bailed.

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