Family devastated as father, 64, found dead in Shrewsbury street
The family of a 64-year-old man who died after being found injured in a town centre this afternoon paid tribute as they spoke of their devastation
Police launched a murder probe after keen darts player Robert Barlow, died after the incident on Saturday night.
People who knew him said the family man, also known as Bob, played for The Prince of Wales pub in the Shrewsbury and District Darts League and was a regular customer at the Reabrook Sports & Social Club, on Scott Street.
He was drinking in the social club on the evening he was killed and it is believed he lived on Reabrook Avenue, in Shrewsbury, where paramedics found him, just after 10.50pm on Saturday, with serious injuries before pronouncing him dead at the scene.
Detectives have launched a murder probe and arrested a 19-year-old man on Sunday night on suspicion of murder. A 37-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Both suspects remained in custody this morning after policing commander for Shropshire, Superintendent James Tozer, confirmed on Twitter that they had secured a 12-hour extension to interview the pair.
This afternoon, in a statement released through police, Mr Barlow's family said: "We are devastated by the tragic loss of a much loved husband and father. His death has left a big hole in our lives.
"Rob was a quiet, gentle man with many eclectic interests and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
"At this time we would like to ask for privacy to grieve and begin to deal with our loss."
Debbie Moore, a stewardess at the Reabrook Sports & Social Club said: "He was quite a quiet man but I know he had a family and was a really lovely man.
"He used to drink in here most nights so lots of people knew him and it wasn't a very nice night when we all found out."
Brian Owen, manager of the Crown, in Longden Coleham, said: "I knew him quite well through the darts and played against him numerous times when he was playing for the Prince of Wales pub," he said.
Louise Bathmaker, manager at Dragon King Restaurant, on Old Potts Way, said she finished work at around the time the incident happened and found that her home on Rocke Street had been cordoned off.
She said: "I hadn't realised it was a murder and it's very shocking."
Leave your tributes to Robert Barlow in the comments below. Discussion of the incident will not be published.
