THE inquest of a man who was found dead in a canal last month has been suspended due to ongoing court proceedings.

Giving evidence at the inquest at Bolton Coroners Court, Police Coroners Officer Andrew Pickles said that On March 25, Scott Anderton was found to have what appeared to be stab wounds after his body was retrieved from the Leeds Liverpool Canal in Leigh.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and a criminal investigation by the major incident team followed.

Area coroner for Manchester West, Alan Walsh, said that he would not release the body today as he is ‘waiting from written confirmation from lawyers concerning the defendants in the case, and the pathologist who conducted the second post mortem examination’.

He added: “I’ve received a request from the Crown Prosecution Service to adjourn proceedings.

A postmortem examination conducted by Dr Robinson at Royal Oldham hospital revealed that Mr Anderton’s body had multiple stab wounds.

Three teenagers have been charged in connection with the death and are due to appear in court on July 9.

Dr Robinson will be conducting further forensic and toxicology investigations.