The family and friends of a man who died after an altercation at a cashpoint heard warm tributes paid to him at his funeral.
Mourning - Ann Oakes-Odger at the funeral of son Westley at St James and St Paul's Church, Colchester. Picture: STEVE ARGENT (46544-9)
Father Peter Walker, rector of St James and St Paul's Church, in East Hill, Colchester, led the service and said Westley Odger, "a big man, with a big presence", would be missed by all who knew him.
Mr Odger, 27, of Jack Andrews Drive, Greenstead, died in September from a neck wound following an incident near the Nationwide cash machine in Hunwicke Road, Greenstead.
His mother, Ann Oakes-Odger, was among the mourners who listened as Father Walker spoke of Westley's charm and love of his family, along with a "genuine interest in all the people he came across".
He said: "Westley's family all miss him and his friends will notice a big gap in their lives which will never be filled."
Father Walker said many of the mourners had felt "anger that such a young life has ended in this violent way" and he hoped the funeral would help conclude such a "difficult time".
Andrew Fredericks, 31, and his brother, Mark, 36, are to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court early in the new year charged with murder.
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Published Thursday, December 1, 2005
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