Tributes paid to man who died in Somerset village ahead of murder trial
A man will appear in court charged with Colin Lawson's murder later this month
Tributes are being paid to a man who died following an incident in a Somerset village last month.
Colin Lawson was 43 when he died after an altercation at an address in Holbrook Park, just off Mare Lane in the village of South Petherton on August 22nd.
Since then, a man - 49-year-old Graham Janes, from Pear Tree Drive in Chard - has been charged with Lawson's murder.
Janes will appear before Bristol Crown Court in connection with the charges brought against him on September 17th.
Before the trial begins, Lawson's partner Josephine offered a tribute to him, saying that his death has left an "immeasurable void" in the family dynamic.
"The heart and soul of our family is gone, and the silence left in Colin’s absence is deafening," she said in a statement, offered through Avon and Somerset Police.
“He was an extraordinary man; kind, considerate, loving, funny, intelligent, and wise. To know Colin was to know warmth, generosity, and a spirit that lifted everyone around him.
“Proudly Scottish, he carried his heritage with joy and pride, always ready with a story, a fact, or a witty remark that made you smile and think. His knowledge was vast, his humour infectious, and his compassion boundless. He gave freely of himself, his time, his help, his love, never asking for anything in return."
Josephine would go on to say that Colin began to suffer from failing eyesight, but this did not dampen the father of five's ability to live life to the full.
“To me, Colin was my light, my love, my best friend, and my everything. Together, we built a beautiful life between Edinburgh and Somerset, a life full of laughter, love, and unforgettable memories.
“The gap he leaves behind is immeasurable. Our lives were richer, fuller, and brighter because of him. Whether you knew Colin for five minutes or a lifetime, he left a mark that will never fade.
“We will carry him with us always, in our hearts, in our stories, and in the love, he gave so freely. He will be forever loved, forever missed, and forever in our hearts.”