Inquest formally opened into death of ‘amazing’ dad in Derbyshire

Father-of-one Mr Collins, of Park Grange Road, Sheffield, died on March 30 after a disturbance at a property on Westthorpe Road in Killamarsh.

MORE: Old Chesterfield pub could be turned into convenience store

At the opening of the inquest into Mr Collins’ death at Chesterfied Coroner’s Court on Thursday, Peter Nieto, area coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, gave more details of the circumstances of his death.

Mr Nieto said police were called to the property at 9.54pm on March 29.

On arrival, the court heard officers found a white van outside the house and a trail of blood leading to the Nag’s Head pub car park nearby.

There, they found Mr Collins with what appeared to be stab wounds to his right side.

He was then taken by ambulance to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Seven people have since been arrested in connection with Mr Collins’ death, with one – 24-year-old Bradley Ward, from Woodthorpe – charged with his murder.

Two men, aged 43 and 44, were also charged with assisting an offender while a 29-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy, who were also arrested as part of the murder probe, have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Two more arrests were made last week, with a 70-year-old woman and a 15-year-old girl, both from Sheffield, were held on suspicion of assisting an offender.

They have been released under investigation.

Mr Nieto formally adjourned the inquest until June 17 when a review will be held.

He added it was ‘probable’ that the conclusion of the inquest would be postponed pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

MORE: New solar farm in pipeline for Chesterfield area

A message from Phil Bramley, Derbyshire Times editor

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription at www.localsubsplus.co.uk or buying a paper.