The grieving father of Sonny Pataria has spoken at his heartbreak at the loss of his "best friend."

Sonny, of Woodlands Road, Gillingham, had just turned 18 last Sunday when tragedy struck on Tuesday night.

After a friend’s wedding reception at the Commissioner’s House in Chatham’s Historic Dockyard, the former New Brompton College pupil went missing.

His body was found by police in the River Medway the following day.

Police are not treating Sonny's death as suspicious.

Since then, messages of condolence and tributes have poured into the Medway Messenger and hundreds have been posted on social networking site, Facebook.show their respects and remember the teenager.

Sonny's father, Gurjinder Singh Pataria, also known as Charlie, said his son was his "best friend."

He said: “We used to do everything together. He was a lovely boy.

“No one would ever say anything against him and he always respected his elders.

“His 18th birthday was only on Sunday.”

Mr Pataria said the family celebrated with a party at home attended by friends and family.

He added: “Caps and motorbikes ... he loved football as well, he was a big Liverpool fan.

“He was popular because his heart was in the right place.”

His grandfather, Martin Budden, said: “We went for his first legal pint with him last week and then had a KFC.

“My wife was quite ill a few months ago and he was always the first one to come and see her.”

Sonny’s mother, Lyn Kemp, said: “He was such a small person but he had a big heart, he was loved by everyone.

“He never had a bad word for anybody."

Ms Kemp said Sonny seemed to "have a home everywhere he went" and joked that he had "a lot of parents" willing to look after him.

Although his father lives in Northfleet, near Gravesend, and his mother lives in Whitstable, Sonny would often stay with friends in Medway.

He has a brother, two sisters and a half-sister.

Jodie Kemp, his older sister, said: “He was the best brother anyone could have wished for.”

Police have confirmed that they are not treating Sonny’s death as suspicious.

Sonny’s parents were due to be told the post mortem result on Monday, with the funeral to be arranged after.

Sonny loved motorbikes, football and would never be seen without a cap.

On Sunday, Sonny’s football team, Spartac FC under-18s, played Milton and Fulston Utd, with the team wearing black armbands for the match held at Marlborough Road, Gillingham, and honouring a minute’s silence.

Almost 200 people, including his mother, father, siblings, family and friends attended to

Manager of Spartac and family friend Chris Morris said Sonny, who played in midfield, always gave 110 per cent.

He said: “He was a little whippet who never gave up.

“If he lost the ball he would always try to get it back. He never gave up.”

Sonny only joined the team last August having played for Deanview 95.

Two of Sonny’s best friends were also at the match.

Glenn Peckett, 21, from Twydall, had his arm tattooed with Sonny’s name days after the incident after living with him for some time.

He said: “He was a great kid. He was more like a brother than a mate.”

Another of his best friends, Perri Arnold, 22, had known him since he was about six.

He said: “He was the mascot for my football team,

Pegasus.

“He was always there and

got on with all my friends.

He was called my shadow.”

Tracey Smith, one of Lyn Kemp’s best friends, said Sonny ‘had no fear’ and remembered family holidays with him in Herne Bay.

A Facebook group started in memory of Sonny has almost 1,000 members.

The group is called post 4 lil sonny p

:( It has attracted more than 350 messages.

They say a collection has started in memory of Sonny, while there will also be a tribute held on Thursday at Woodlands Youth Centre, where Sonny was a member for several years.

At the age of 15, Sonny won the Woodlands Youth Centre Outstanding Member Award for his work at

the club and he also helped organise the centre’s first prom.

Another related group, called ‘GET HIGHER RAILINGS FOR MEDWAY RIVER 4 SONNY P XXX’, has also been set up by friend Rachel Smith.

The group has almost 150 messages of support.

Miss Smith has also organised a walk to raise awareness on March 14, starting at 11am from Strood Market to the Dockyard along the river.

Flowers, posters, candles and toys have been left close to the spot where Sonny Pataria's body was found.

The 18-year-old's family and friends have been leaving items at the scene where his body was pulled from the River Medway, close to Medway Council's headquarters, Gun Wharf, Chatham.

A poster marking the youngster's love of football has been pinned to the wall and has been signed by friends.

Friends have also left Liverpool shirts for the teenager who had his club’s crest tattooed on his leg.

Two mourners were at the scene on Saturday.

Sketch, 19, from Gillingham, said: “He was always laughing and joking.”

Warren Robb, 18, also from Gillingham, said: “He never upset anyone, he was very caring, there was nothing bad about him.”

Meanwhile, another Facebook group relating to Sonny's death has been set up.

It's called GET HIGHER RAILINGS FOR MEDWAY RIVER 4 SONNY P XXX and has been set up by friend Rachel Smith.

The group has almost 150 messages of support.

Miss Smith has also organised a walk to raise awareness on March 14, starting at 11am from Strood Market to the dockyard along the river.

~ Related article: Death of teenager found in river 'not suspicious' >>>