Dead man was 'great joker'

A Shropshire mother today paid tribute to her son who was found dead at the weekend, describing how he was "always laughing and joking".

Dean Smith was found dead in the Red Bank area of Market Drayton on Saturday morning.

Mystery still surrounds how he died and it has not been revealed whether he suffered any injuries. A police investigation is under way.

Today, Dean's mother Sue Weston said their family, friends and the community had been "devastated" by his death.

Mrs Weston said her son, a former Grove School pupil, was the "life and soul of any party".

She said the 25-year-old was well known and she had received many messages of kindness and support from people.

"Everybody loved him. He was a joker," said Mrs Weston."He liked a lot of laughs, he was always laughing and joking.

"Nothing really ever bothered him apart from me. He was always very concerned and worried about his mum."

Mrs Weston said Dean's 23-year-old brother Max Smith, had been left absolutely devastated.

His father was too distraught to speak.

Mrs Weston said Dean's "devoted, loyal and wonderful" girlfriend of two years, Sara, was struggling to come to terms with his death.

It is the second tragedy to hit the family. His brother Nicky Weston died 10 years ago in a car crash, just six weeks before his 21st birthday.

"Losing one is bad enough but losing two is very hard to come to terms with," said Mrs Weston.

"You don't expect to bury your children."

Mrs Weston said she wanted to thank everyone in for their support and kindness.

"My special thanks go to Constable Paul Tompkinson and Detective Constable Sarah Smither," she said.

"I can't thank them enough.

"Everybody has been so very kind but I suppose being a Draytonian, this is my home, everyone knows me and my family."