CROWDS of mourners packed a Melksham church for the funeral of father-of-four Paul Rodgers.

Hundreds of people were in St Michael's Church as a horse-drawn hearse brought the body of the 32-year-old stab victim through the town's streets.

The procession began at the home of Mr Rodgers' half-sister, Margaret Joyce, in Philip Close at 11.40am on Friday morning.

Travelling along Forest Road and Lowbourne towards the town centre, police officers stopped traffic in High Street to let the cortege turn into Church Street towards the chapel.

Friends, former work colleagues and fellow-pool players from the Melksham and Trowbridge leagues joined Mr Rodgers' dad Desmond, 69, brother Wayne, 29, at the church service led by the Rev Derek Smith.

The coffin was carried in to the song If Tomorrow Never Comes and left to You'll Never Walk Alone, the anthem of his favourite team Liverpool.

The Rev Smith spoke of Mr Rodgers' love for his children, family and friends as well as his passion for pool.

He said: "Paul had a wonderful gift in selling things. He had the wonderful gift of personality and that is why so many people loved him."

Brother Wayne said Paul's favourite pool cue would be buried alongside him.

Mr Rodgers was found in Broadcloth Lane, Trowbridge, in the early hours of May 5. A post-mortem showed he died from one stab wound to the chest.

Stab victim's nephew attacked

THE nephew of Trowbridge knife attack victim Paul Rodgers has admitted assaulting two policemen two days after his uncle died.

Scott Rodgers, 23, of Charles Street, Trowbridge, appeared at West Wiltshire Magistrates Court, Trowbridge on Thursday.

Rhys Davies, prosecuting, said the officers were called to Trowbridge Hospital on May 7 after Rodgers was seen banging and kicking the hospital doors by a ward sister.

Mr Davies said: "When police arrived they knew it was Rodgers already.

"It was apparent that the defendant had suffered a bereavement and kept asking why did it have to be his uncle who passed away?

"He appeared to be crying before he lashed out and butted one of the officers in the mouth."

The policeman was treated at the hospital and Rodgers was restrained and taken into custody.

Mr Davies said: "The officer was trying to put Rodgers in the van but found he was being obstructive. He then bit an officer on the knuckle."

During an interview with police Rodgers was very upset and revealed he was being treated for depression.

Mr Davies said: "Rodgers had drunk a bottle of vodka before going to the hospital and couldn't remember the fight.

"He was very upset at what he had done especially as he knew one of the officers and liked him."

Defence solicitor Muriel Wrench told magistrates Rodgers' uncle had died two days before the incident.

Mrs Wrench also revealed that Rodgers was due to be admitted to Green Lane Hospital in Devizes for treatment.

Magistrates adjourned the case for reports. Rodgers will appear at Chippenham Magistrates Court for sentencing on July 11.