Inquest opens into death of Chesterfield soldier Christopher Henchliffe

Chris Henchliffe with his son. Picture released by family.

Christopher Brian Henchliffe, 26, of Maynard Road, Chesterfield, died in Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield on Tuesday, July 12, after being assaulted on Corporation Street, Chesterfield, at about 4am on Sunday, July 3.

Speaking at the opening into his death, Temporary Detective Constable, Heather Saville, said: “Christopher was out in Chesterfield town centre on Saturday July 2 into Sunday July 3.

“He was involved in an altercation on Corporation Street around 4am in the morning. During the altercation, he was assaulted and has fallen and banged his head on the pavement which has caused him a head injury.”

Mr Henchliffe, who has a five-year-old son, Tyler, served in Afghanistan in the Yorkshire Regiment,

A 21-year-old man, Benjamin Edwards, of Field View Place, Chesterfield, was subsequently charged with causing grievous bodily harm but in the light of Mr Henchliffe’s death, police are consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service about the charges. Mr Edwards will appear at Derby Crown Court on August 2.

Assistant coroner for Derbyshire, James Newman, set a review date for the hearing on January 30, 2017.

Call police on 101, quoting incident number 190 of July 3.