Two remanded in shooting inquiry

Ashley Bowman was shot in the head at close range

Two people charged with possessing a firearm by police investigating the murder of 17-year-old Ashley Bowman have been remanded in custody.

The teenager was found in the garden of a house in Bryony Close, Wythenshawe, Manchester, on 18 July. He had been shot in the head.

Michael Roper, 21, and Hayley Smirk, 21, both of Wythenshawe, appeared at magistrates in Manchester on Monday.

They are due to reappear before magistrates on Friday 20 August.

Ashley's family say he was a "lovely lad with a bubbly personality".

In a statement released after his death his family said: "We are at a total and utter loss as to why this has happened to such a well liked and much loved person."

Ashley, from Exmoor Walk, Newall Green, Manchester, died in hospital, two days after the shooting.