Family pay tribute to Shrewsbury murder victim
The family of Shrewsbury musician Benson Bebbington have spoken of their heartbreak over his death, describing him as a kind and generous free spirit.
Mr Bebbington, known as Ben to family and friends, died after being found injured on the old canal footpath between Ditherington Road and Telford Way in the early hours of last Friday. Two men have since been charged with his murder.
His mother, Mrs Tricia Nicholson, from Shrewsbury, in a tribute to her 43-year-old son, said: "Benson was known to be witty, kind, generous and intelligent. He was a free spirit who loved roaming the Shropshire countryside with his notebook, stopping to compose some new poetry or music.
"He felt he had achieved something to make his family proud by having three poems published in books by United Press, with copies in the library and even the British Library in London, as he proudly emphasised to me."
Mrs Nicholson said Ben loved to busk in Shrewsbury, playing his guitar to an appreciative audience. "He told me he always felt very lonely and busking was his way of helping him feel less so."
She said: "He was a very loving son who worked hard in my garden to make it lovely for me and who texted me every morning to see if I was alright. I miss his texts so much. He loved his family and he is sorely missed by us all."
Ben's father Benjamin, four sisters - Michelle, Davinia, Karen and Annie - and brother Colin, also paid tribute.
In a statement, they said: "We are so very upset and distressed at the brutal way Benson has been taken from us. He was, and will always be, our very loved son, brother and uncle. He encouraged friendship wherever he went and we cannot comprehend why anyone would harm him.
"We have been overwhelmed by the many beautiful comments people have said and written about Ben. He would be delighted so many remember him for his music, poetry, and most of all, for his totally loveable nature.
"We are particularly grateful to his wonderful friends at the Shrewsbury Ark where he found peace and happiness in recent years. We know they are all sharing our complete shock and anger at what has happened and we are equally struggling to come to terms with his senseless death."
The family also said they were touched by the warmth and sympathy shown by people, including total strangers, who live and work in the Ditherington area and to the police for their support and respect shown to Benson while conducting their investigations.
