Widnes murder suspect to be charged after body found in Sankey Canal

Jun 20 2011 by Oliver Clay, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

A WIDNES man has been charged with murdering an angler whose body was pulled from a Warrington canal on Saturday.

Anthony Ogburn, 40, is accused of killing Harry Morris, 57, of Warrington.

Mr Morris’s corpse was found in Sankey Canal in Sankey Valley Park, Warrington, shortly after 11am on Saturday.

An angling competition was taking place at the time.

A post-mortem has revealed that Mr Morris drowned.

Ogburn was arrested a short time later.

He appeared at Warrington Magistrates this morning and was remanded in custody to appear at Chester Crown Court this Wednesday.

Police have appealed for witnesses.

Detective Inspector Jo Miller said: “At the time there was a fishing competition going on at the canal and a football competition being held nearby.

“The area is also popular with joggers and dog walkers so we would appeal to anyone who may have been around the park at this time and witnessed an altercation between two men to contact us.

“We’d also like to hear from anyone who may know why this has happened.”

Witnesses should call Cheshire police on 0845 458 0000.