HUNDREDS of mourners attended the funeral of alleged murder victim Martin Ithell, whose partner told the congregation her heart will ‘never mend’.
Many were forced to stand outside the tiny rural church of St Lawrence, Stoak, near Ellesmere Port, and listen to the service on a loudspeaker.
Sarah Potbury, Martin’s girlfriend of 10 years, paid tribute to the 49-year-old former doorman, who died last month of stab and gunshot wounds in Frodsham but whose body was driven to Blacon Police Station.
Sarah, in a eulogy read by presiding clergyman the Rev Gordon Welch, said: “I know everyone says that I will feel better in time but I know that my heart is broken and will never mend.
“I’m just so glad I was fortunate to share my life with such a wonderful man.
“I love him so much and will never come to terms with the fact that I’m never going to see him, kiss him, hold him or talk to him again.”
Mr Welch said Martin grew up on his parents’ farm at Wervin and his ashes would be interred at St Lawrence, where he was baptised and attended Sunday school.
Martin’s Welsh cousin Meilyr Owen, an S4C football commentator, recalled childhood memories of visiting his uncle Jim’s farm and playing with Martin and his brother Jimmy. He described Martin as ‘a quiet, shy boy who developed into a quiet, confident young man’ and whose ‘broad smile’ was his lasting memory.
Martin’s friend Tony O’Donnell, from Chester, said his pal had good friends from the security business going back more than 25 years, many of whom were in attendance ‘to pay respect to a gentleman and a true professional’.
