FAMILY and friends were joined by MP Peter Mandelson yesterday at the funeral of teenager John Paul Jeffries, whose body was found in a marina.

Mourners, including the Hartlepool MP, packed Grange Road Methodist Church, where John Paul had been baptised, to pay their last respects to the 18-year-old, who was killed last month.

Floral tributes spelling out John Paul's initials and the word "son" were placed on the coffin as family members walked behind the hearse to the church.

During the service, the Reverend John Walker described John Paul as a charming teenager who enjoyed rambling, playing chess and DJ-ing.

He said: "There is one word to describe John Paul and that is charmer. He was a charmer with a great circle of friends, and those who knew him respected him."

Mr Walker said John Paul was interested in politics and was a founder member of the Labour youth group in Hartlepool and the treasurer of the Jackson Ward Labour group.

He said: "It's not my place to make judgement. That is for the police and the law courts, but I want to say something as a member of the clergy.

"I want everyone to make Hartlepool a safer place to live in. Violence has been the curse of our towns and cities and I know, as you do, that violence does not solve any problems.

"I ask everyone to do all they can to restrain violence among themselves and others, so that this place may be a safe place."

John Paul's body was found by fishermen on rocks in Hartlepool marina, on Wednesday, January 24.

He had suffered injuries to his head and body. A 17-year-old youth and 34-year-old Darren Gibson have been charged with murder and theft.

After the funeral, John Paul's father, Edwin told The Northern Echo: "All the people who cared for John Paul were there and it was nice to see so many people.

"Hopefully, we can now start rebuilding our lives and I hope John Paul is at peace."

The Northern Echo reporter was at the funeral at invitation of John Paul's family.

l Police said yesterday that they want to trace a video recorder stolen from John Paul's Lowthian Road home, on Thursday, January 18. Anyone who has been offered a Philips VR608 video for sale is asked call police on (01642) 302187.