Inquest opens into death of Chesterfield soldier who was 'murdered' on night out

The 23-year-old, an engineer who lived on Sheffield Road, was taken to hospital following an incident outside Vibe bar in Holywell Street during the early hours of February 8.

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He sadly died at Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital the following night.

Mr Robotham’s inquest was opened at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court on Wednesday.

Detective Sergeant Steve Topham, of Derbyshire Constabulary, told the inquest: “At 3.50am on February 8, there was an altercation within Vibe.

“Males were ejected from the bar by door staff.

“Joseph was hit to the head by a male with what we believe to be a glass bottle.

“He collapsed and he lay unconscious.

“He was then taken to hospital.”

Dr Robert Hunter, Derbyshire’s senior coroner, said a post-mortem examination provided a provisional cause of death as ‘head injury’.

Mr Robotham served in the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment for four years.

Following his death, Mr Robotham’s family paid tribute to him, calling him ‘our beautiful boy’.

After the incident, Connor Rose, 24, of no fixed abode, was charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon. He is due to stand trial later this year.

A second man, 28, was arrested on suspicion of affray and subsequently released on bail pending further enquiries.

Dr Hunter suspended Mr Robotham’s inquest because a crown court trial is pending.

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