Murdered youth football coach Megan Newton, 18, 'had everything to live for'

A children's football coach found murdered at a flat in Stoke-on-Trent was "a beautiful young woman who had everything to live for", her family have said.

Police named Megan Newton, 18, as the woman discovered dead at a property on Fletcher Road in the Staffordshire city at 3.20pm on Saturday.

Joseph Trevor, also 18, of Trentham, has been charged with her murder and is being held in custody.

He appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Tuesday morning and is due to appear at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday.

As well as coaching, Ms Newton - who lived on Fletcher Road - was also studying at college and had three part-time jobs.

Her family said in a statement released through police: "We just can't believe what's happened. Our hearts are broken and our family is devastated.

"Meg was a beautiful young woman who had everything to live for.

"She was into sport in a big way. She loved playing football and used to give up her weekends to work as an assistant coach for the under-sevens.

"She loved working with children and was studying sports at college as well as holding three jobs down at the same time.

"Meg had plans for the future - she was so independent and knew what she wanted to do with her life.

"We were all behind her every step of the way and would have done anything for her.

"She was a young woman in the prime of life, so precious and loving and such a big part of our lives. We just adored her.

"Family meant everything to Meg and we're all struggling with what's happened. It just doesn't feel real."

:: Anyone with information is being asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 510 of 20 April, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.