Three people appeared in court today charged with the murder of a 45-year-old Market Drayton man whose body was found in a Shropshire canal.

Mandy Jane Jackson, 42, Louise Christine Jackson, 18, and John Jackson, 52, are all accused of murdering Vivian Paul Price. Mr Price’s body was found last Thursday in the Shropshire Union Canal about a mile south of Soudley, near Cheswardine.

The defendants appeared at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court charged with murdering Mr Price last Wednesday.

They are also accused of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice by destroying a Rover car and falsely reporting it stolen between January 2 and 4.

Mandy Jackson and Louise Jackson, both of Riverside Drive, Tern Hill, and John Jackson, of Alexandra Road, Market Drayton, all wore dark navy T-shirts in court today.

The defendants, each of whom was flanked by a security guard, spoke only to confirm their names and addresses in the five-minute hearing after being brought up from the cells. None of them entered a plea.

The case was committed to Shrewsbury Crown Court where the accused will appear next Monday. No application was made for bail on behalf of any of the defendants. All three were remanded in custody.

John Jackson put his arm around teenager Louise Jackson as the defendants were led from the dock back to the cells.

A huge police operation was launched last week following the discovery of Mr Price’s body in the Shropshire Union Canal. It was found just before 11am last Thursday. Police officers said that Mr Price had died from head injuries.

About 40 officers were involved in the murder investigation, which was named Operation Hercules.

A team of forensic officers combed the area across the weekend near to the site where Mr Price’s body was discovered. Dog handlers and a search party of officers were also involved in the operation. They swept fields near the canal and humpback bridge in search of evidence.

People who live in Cheswardine have spoken of their shock following the discovery of Mr Price’s body.

By Steve Todd