A CHURCH-going young farmer has been accused of murdering a popular schoolboy whose body was found stripped and dumped in a field.
Matthew Mason, (**************************************************************************************, allegedly killed Alex Rodda, (*******************************************************************************, who was a few years below him at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School in Cheshire.
********** Alex’s school released a photograph of him in tributeCredit: Supplied
Alex Rodda, from the Knutsford area, was found dead on a country lane in Ashley, Cheshire, shortly before 8am on Friday.
Cheshire Police have since charged -year-old Matthew Mason with murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
He was arrested over miles away in Forton, Newport, four hours after the grim discovery was made.
Shocked neighbors told of their surprise that the Christian teen who lived with his parents and grandmother on their farm in Ollerton, Cheshire, had been charged with murder.
A family friend described Mason as an “honorable” churchgoer, adding: “It was a real shock when I found out it was Matthew who’d been charged.
“His family are lovely and so is Matthew. He loves to go fishing with his dad.
“His family are regulars at the church and Matthew goes too. He’s a very honorable young man and I can’t believe he’s been caught up in this.
“I’ve known him all my life.”
The teen, of Ollerton, near Knutsford, has been remanded in custody and is set to appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Paying tribute to her son Alex’s mum Lisa, 75, told the Sunday Mirror: “I wish he had not been so trusting.
“Everybody loved Alex. He was caring and kind. Alex was my beautiful son but he was naive. He was only and that made him vulnerable. I am heartbroken. ”
Alex’s older brother Adam, (************************************************************************************, has traveled from London, where he works, to be with his mother in Knutsford, Cheshire.
In a statement released through Cheshire Police yesterday Alex’s family said: “Alex was a very loving, caring, kind, loyal and, most of all, trusting young boy.
“He loved life and made friends wherever he went. He will be sorely missed.”
One neighbor said: “He was always messing around, dressing up in other people’s clothes. He’d put anything on to make people laugh.
“I cannot believe this has happened. Alex would not hurt anybody.”
Hundreds of pals left their condolences online with one writing: “Heartbroken is an understatement. Words can not describe how we are feeling.
“Alex Rodda Sleep easy big man.
“We will always love you and will never forget that infectious smile that lit up a room and brightened everybody’s day.
“Still can’t believe it. We’ve been trying to process it all night and just can not begin to understand why.”
Another posted: “Never failed to make me laugh rest easy angel.”
Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School headteacher Denis Oliver said: “Alex will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him within our close-knit school family.
“Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with Alex’s family and friends at this very sad time.”
Students will be supported by staff on Monday.
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Police have yet to reveal how Alex died.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Blackwell, of Cheshire Constabulary’s Major Crime Directorate, said: “Our thoughts are with Alex’s family at this extremely difficult time.
“They are currently being supported by specialist officers and we request for their privacy to be respected.
“We are in the very early stages of our investigation into Alex’s death, which we are treating as a murder.
“I would like to reassure the community that this is believed to be an isolated incident and we are doing everything we can to establish exactly what has taken place.
“Various inquiries are ongoing and we are appealing for anyone with any information or footage that may be relevant to our investigation to get in touch.”
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Forensic officers have been examining the scene since the grim discovery.
Anyone with information or CCTV or dashcam footage that may help the investigation should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML (****************************************************************, give the details via https://www.cheshire.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on (************************************************************************ 300.
The family of Alex Rodda are now being supported by police
Forensic officers can be seen searching the area for clues
The – – year-old was found dead on Friday morning in the leafy Cheshire village of Ashley
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