Funeral for man who died from single stab wound

A funeral for a keen cricketer who died from a single stab wound has been held.

Jamie Evans was described as "kind, loving, funny and competitive" during the service held earlier at Bradwell Crematorium in Staffordshire.

The 20-year-old from Stone, died in hospital after being found injured in Newcastle-under-Lyme following a crash involving a Ford Fiesta and a parked Audi.

Two men - Corey Hughes, 20, and Connor Edward Cartlidge, 22 - have been charged with Evans' murder. Hughes is also accused of possession of a knife in a public place, Staffordshire Police said.

They are next due to appear at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 13 November.

Paying tribute, Evans' family said: "Losing you is unbearable, a piece of our hearts has been destroyed.

"There are no words big enough for the emptiness you have left behind.

"We will miss you for the rest of our lives and love you for all eternity."

He was described as a "wonderful uncle'" by his sister and mourners heard how he had been working towards becoming a personal trainer.

He had a keen interest in food and nutrition, they said, and could often be found in the kitchen or teaching his niece about food.

Evans' coffin was carried in to the funeral accompanied by the song Soul Limbo which is best known as the theme tune for the BBC's cricket coverage - a reference to Evans' passion for the sport.

He played for his local football team in Stone, and later played cricket alongside his father and went on to represent his county.

Described as "a good friend to many", the packed service was also shown a slideshow of photos taken throughout his life.

Tributes read out for Evans included those written by his coaches and teammates.

"A very good wicket-keeper and batter, we had some great conversations together, all of us, with him over the years," one said.

Another said: "He was the first to have a laugh and a joke, wherever we were.

"His ability to make a joke out of anything was unrivalled, but beneath that was a young man who truly cared about everyone around him."

Officers were first called to Orme Road just after 17:00 BST on 4 September by West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Evans was the driver of the Ford, and police said they believed he was stabbed before getting into the car.

A 38-year-old man, from Stoke-on-Trent, was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and subsequently released on bail, the force said.

A 19-year-old man, also from Newcastle-under-Lyme, who had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, was also previously released on bail.

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