UP to 500 people turned out to say their final goodbyes to murdered Stourbridge property developer Richard Sherratt.

Heartbroken relatives and friends packed into St Peter’s Church in Kinver on August 9 for the funeral of 57-year-old Mr Sherratt, who was found dead in his Bridgnorth flat on June 14.

The well-known businessman, who leaves three grown-up children - Tom, Joseph and Jennie, died of head injuries; and three people have since been charged with his murder.

Joseph, who lives in London, told the News: “It’s been a horrible time. "We’re coping as best we can.

"Now the funeral is out of the way it’s on to the next chapter and we hope that justice is done and that the people responsible will be sent down for a long time.”

Mr Sherratt, who grew up in Kinver, used to run Hyperion Homes and was responsible for numerous property developments in Stourbridge and the surrounding areas.

He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma two years ago but the condition was not being treated as life-threatening.

In the weeks leading up to his death he had been working on a project to build two cottages in High Town, Bridgnorth, where he had been living on site in a rented apartment.

Michael Cyril Smith, aged 51, from Horton Street Tipton, Paramjit Singh, aged 32, from Willmore Road, Perry Barr; and Emma Jane Bate, aged 25, from Gladstone Street, Aston, have since been charged with murder and robbery.

Singh and Bate are also accused of perverting the course of justice.

All three have been remanded in custody to appear at Shrewsbury Crown Court on September 17.

Donations made in memory of Mr Sherratt have so far raised £230 for the Lymphoma Association. Anyone still wishing to donate can do so via funeral directors JT Brooks, Mount Pleasant, Brierley Hill.