This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-30934578

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
PC Neil Doyle killing: Funeral for off-duty policeman PC Neil Doyle killing: Funeral for off-duty policeman
(about 1 hour later)
More than 400 mourners have paid their respects to an off-duty police officer who was killed in Liverpool.More than 400 mourners have paid their respects to an off-duty police officer who was killed in Liverpool.
PC Neil Doyle, 36, died and two of his colleagues were injured on a night out in the city centre on 19 December.PC Neil Doyle, 36, died and two of his colleagues were injured on a night out in the city centre on 19 December.
In a floral tribute, his wife wrote "Good night and God bless, babe. My heart is with you always. All my love, broken-hearted Sarah xxx". Within a floral tribute, his wife wrote: "Good night and God bless, babe. My heart is with you always. All my love, broken-hearted Sarah xxx".
The service was held at Liverpool Parish Church Our Lady and St Nicholas, where Mr Doyle was married in July. The service was held at Liverpool Parish Church Our Lady and St Nicholas, where the couple got married last July.
The couple had been due to go on their honeymoon this month. They had been due to go on their honeymoon this month.
Mr Doyle was on a Christmas night out when he was assaulted along with Michael Steventon and Robert Marshall, who were treated in hospital for facial injuries.Mr Doyle was on a Christmas night out when he was assaulted along with Michael Steventon and Robert Marshall, who were treated in hospital for facial injuries.
'Heartbreaking tragedy''Heartbreaking tragedy'
A post-mortem examination found the cause of Mr Doyle's death was bleeding around the brain.A post-mortem examination found the cause of Mr Doyle's death was bleeding around the brain.
The funeral service was led by the Rector of Liverpool, the Rev Crispin Pailing. Mourners including Jon Murphy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, the Rt Rev Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool, and Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson stood in silence as the funeral cortege arrived with the fallen officer's police cap on top of his coffin.
"Neil's death has been a shock to everyone in the community and our church family has felt his loss," he said. Rev Canon Bob Lewis, who also presided at their wedding, said: "Only a few months ago at the very place where now he lies, she and Neil expressed their love as they exchanged their vows.
The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev Paul Bayes, led the prayer of commendation and gave the blessing. "It was, as they both wished, a wonderful, happy family moment shared by their friends and blessed by God."
He said it was a "terrible and heartbreaking tragedy" and "a very difficult time" for Mr Doyle's wife Sarah, their family and for all who knew him. He described Mr Doyle as an "outstanding young man" and a much loved husband, son, brother and friend. His wife even received sympathy cards from people he had arrested, praising how he had treated them.
Two men have been charged with his murder and a third, Huyton man Timmy Donovan, has been arrested in Germany on suspicion of the same offence. His widow had been left "raw" with grief over his "tragic and senseless" killing, mourners heard.
Andrew Taylor, 28, of Cherry Tree Road, Huyton, and Christopher Spendlove, 30, of Brandearth Hey, in Huyton, have appeared in court accused of murder and two counts of causing grievous bodily harm. At the church
Phil Cooper, BBC News
They gathered in their hundreds to say goodbye. Not just police officers, but church-goers and people from a community still coming to terms with the loss of a young man. A young man who was a husband, son and brother, and a friend to so many.
The mourners stood silent as the coffin was carried inside, but there was applause as the procession left to the sound of a Green Day song, the words "I hope you had the time of your life" ringing around the church.
The Rev Canon Bob Lewis, who married Neil and Sarah at the church last year, said he "embodied within him the heart and soul of the city."
A written tribute from Neil's brother Greg was also read out: "So from my heart a sad farewell - it hurts to let you go. I'll miss your smile and also your touch in ways you will never know."
Two men have been charged with Mr Doyle's murder and a third, Huyton man Timmy Donovan, has been arrested in Germany on suspicion of the same offence.
Andrew Taylor, 28, of Cherry Tree Road, Huyton, and Christopher Spendlove, 30, of Brandearth Hey, also in Huyton, have appeared in court accused of murder and two counts of causing grievous bodily harm.
On Wednesday, Mr Donovan, 30, was arrested as he tried to board a plane back to the UK at Dusseldorf Airport.On Wednesday, Mr Donovan, 30, was arrested as he tried to board a plane back to the UK at Dusseldorf Airport.