Window Cleaner Mourned

The number of tributes left to Steve Burton have grown substantially over the weekend.

Steve Burton murder probe: Tributes to ex-Derby window cleaner flood in as woman charged with murder - A woman has been charged with the  murder  of Steve Burton, who died at his  Chaddesden  home on Friday. Julie Titheridge, 38, of Selkirk Street, will appear at Derby Magistrates' Court today. She was arrested on Friday morning after police were called to Selkirk Street at 4.30am, where Mr Burton was found injured. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Floral tributes built up over the weekend following his death.

Photos of the popular father, and items belonging to him have been placed at Sussex Circus, Chaddesden, where he liked to spend some of his time. Yesterday, friends of Mr Burton said they could not comprehend what has happened. Graham Hunt, 70, of Buckingham Avenue, Chaddesden, said: "He was a great guy and a really nice person. "I always used to call him 'chap' and we would always speak. "It's so tragic. I left my flowers and I think it's great to see so many."

One message said: "Well Steve, the last time your corner was decorated it was back in March for your 50th birthday. I hope you're reunited with your mum and dad." Toyah Manning, 32, lived a few doors away from Mr Burton on Selkirk Street. Looking at the tributes, she said: "I think this will become a shrine. It will be weird seeing these here instead of Steve. "I think he would absolutely love this. There are some lovely flowers here and I think they will stay here quite a while."

Other tributes were paid to Mr Burton on n social media sites. One read: "R.I.P Steve ...we were having a laugh the day before ....god bless mate you'll be missed by many xx." Rich N Lisa Fenton said: "Amazing guy – worked some of the same streets and always had a nice word RIP." And James Horrocks wrote; "R.I.P uncle steve. You were a brilliant uncle to me and helped me with everything I had. And he helped me if I had a problem with anything."

Donations have already been given in Mr Burton's memory and one post suggested: "I think a memorial bench should b made 4 him such a lovely man was liked by every1 such a sad time." This was echoed in another message when someone wrote: "I think all the people should pull together and get a bench in memory of steve n put it on his spot on circus."

Floral tributes to Steve Burton have been left in Chaddesden.

A sea of floral tributes have been left in Chaddesden as residents pay their respects to popular father Steve Burton. He was found dead during the early hours of yesterday and police  arrested a woman on suspicion of murder. Emergency services were called to the house in Selkirk Street, where the 50-year-old lived, at about 4.30am. But the former window cleaner was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hours of door-to-door inquiries and forensic officers gathering evidence followed as his saddened neighbours watched from their doorsteps. Two of his stepdaughters visited the site where floral tributes had been placed at nearby Sussex Circus, Chaddesden. Danielle Brown, 22, of Spondon,  found comfort in the colourful array of flowers and messages of support. She said: "I will remember him for liking a drink and wearing his hat. We were really close. "I used to visit him in Chaddesden a lot and he really was great."

Mr Burton's former partner, Nadine Hatton, 43, said she was stunned when she heard he had been found dead. She had been with him for 12 years and they had children Charlie, 20, and Carly, 16 when they were together. Nadine, of Derwent House, Huntington Green, Chaddesden, said: "I could not believe it when I heard he'd gone. "It's very shocking and I feel really sad and distraught. "He was a good father in his own way and was very kind. He was a very well-loved man and had a lot of friends in the area. "My children are being very quiet and have gone into their shells."

Nadine said Mr Burton found a lot of comfort in spending time at the floral tribute spot in Sussex Circus – a place where he met up with friends She said: "My children are beautiful and look like him with similar features. "I will miss him for the rest of my life."

One of his other stepdaughters, Amy Brown, 23, said she has found it difficult to get her head around the enormity of what has happened. Amy, of Berwick Avenue, Chaddesden, said: "It's devastating and I am going to find it very tough. I found him an inspiration. "I know that his memory will live on."

Community members also paid tribute to Mr Burton. Lorraine May, of Banger Street, Chaddesden, had known him for 16 years and was in tears when looking at the flowers. She said: "This tribute area will become like a garden of flowers because of the love people had for him. "He was a harmless man and everybody knew him. "Life will go on but he will be very missed."

Steve Burton, very popular window cleaner.

Scott Winson, 28, who lives in Derby, said Mr Burton was one of his best friends and spoke to him for the final time on Thursday – hours before his death. The 28-year-old said: "He was known as the Clint Eastwood of Chaddesden and you could not meet a nicer bloke. "I only spoke to him on Thursday and he was asking about my kids. "He was very outgoing and was really game for a laugh." "This will be a massive loss to Chaddesden and Derby because he was so well-known locally. "I'm very upset, it's such a shock. "Life will not be the same without seeing him around. "His death is incredibly tragic. He did not deserve to die like this."

Yesterday, as police officers investigated his death, parts of Selkirk Street were cordoned off and forensic officers spent time inside the property. Parents and residents said it was a shock to see such police activity in the area when they were taking their children to school. A police spokesman yesterday said: "A team of detectives will be working on the case and forensic specialists have been examining the scene." Kirsty Sharpe, 26, of Selkirk Street, said: "A friend called me to tell me what happened. You see things like this on the news but you never expect it on your street. "My message to his family is I'm very sorry for your loss and everyone is thinking of you."

Chris Herrod, 23, of Selkirk Street, said the incident could prompt him to move. He said: "It's usual to have police here on this street. It's not nice and we want to move." Sophie Kerry, 20, also of Selkirk Street, said: "This morning the police knocked on my door and told me there was a big incident. I was shocked." Selkirk Street resident Vicky, 26, who did not want to give her full name, said: "I got a bang at the door at 6.45am from the police. "Steve was a lovely man and was always friendly."