Inquest is opened into death of 40-year-old Chesterfield man

Chesterfield coroner’s court heard how Craig Rutherford, of Westbourne Grove, Chesterfield, was found near Chatsworth Road, Brampton, in the early hours of Sunday, August 3.

Pc Regan Turner, of Chesterfield police, said: “Craig had been drinking in the evening and went out to buy a meal and more alcohol.”

The officer told how he returned home about 11.20pm, on August 2, and had a conversation with his partner before saying he was going to a friend’s near Chatsworth Road about 2am, the following day.

Pc Turner added: “He had not been there long and was making strange noises and he was asked to leave and began to leave.”

The ambulance service was called out to a path, off Chatsworth Road, Brampton, and Mr Rutherford was pronounced dead about 4am.

Assistant coroner for Derbyshire, James Newman, adjourned the case for a date to be fixed while further investigations into the circumstances of the death continue.

Police previously stated the path concerned is near The Tramway public house.

They also stated that the matter is not being treated as suspicious.