Man dies after street robbery - police cordon off Lady Herbert's Garden in Coventry city centre

[dutchman]

Man believed to be in his 50s was found unconscious but later died in hospital



Police were called to Fairfax Street at around 10.50am this morning following reports of a street robbery.

Officers found a man believed to be in his 50s unconscious; he was taken to hospital where he sadly died.

Officers have launched an investigation and have cordoned off part of Lady Herbert’s Garden while they examine the scene.

Detective Inspector Warren Hines from Force CID, said: “We are in the very early stages of the investigation and following a number of lines of enquiry.

“I want to appeal to anyone who was in the area this morning and saw what happened to contact me as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone who was in the area this morning and saw what happened should contact Warren Hines on 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

[rebbonk]

My God, this city's getting worse by the day.

[dutchman]

That garden has been occupied by druggies every time I've passed it.

I recently switched the pharmacist I use for prescriptions so as not to have to pass that way again.

[dutchman]

Three men arrested over city centre street robbery death



Three Coventry men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man died following a suspected street robbery in the city centre on Monday.

The police have also revealed the incident revolved around the theft of a bicycle.

Detective Inspector Warren Hines from Force CID, said: “We are continuing to follow up a number of lines of enquiry.

“The incident began with the theft of a bicycle from outside McDonald’s in Coventry city centre which culminated in a fight in Lady Herbert’s Garden.

“I want to appeal to anyone who was in the area yesterday morning and saw what happened to contact me as a matter of urgency.”

Three Coventry men, aged 27, 28 and 35, remained in custody on Tuesday evening.

[dutchman]

Man who died after city centre robbery named by police



Police have named a man who died following a street robbery in Coventry city centre on Monday.

Adam Chandler was found unconscious in Lady Herbert’s Garden at around 10.50am after police were called to reports of incident which started with the theft of a bicycle.

The 51-year-old, previously known as Adam Holmes, was reportedly given CPR at the scene and taken to hospital, but later died of his injuries.

A post mortem examination carried out on Tuesday was inconclusive and further tests will be conducted to establish the cause of death.

[dutchman]

Mystery surrounds death of man found unconscious in Lady Herbert's Garden

Police still don’t know the cause of death of a man was found unconscious in Coventry city centre and later died in hospital.

A post mortem examination and further tests have been carried out on the body of Adam Chandler who was found in Lady Herbert’s Garden on Monday, June 13.

However, no exact cause of death has been recorded and West Midlands Police say they are now awaiting the results of yet more tests.

Police believe he that Mr Chandler, 51, died following a fight which began after the theft of a bicycle from outside McDonald’s in the city centre.

Three men – aged 27, 28 and 35 and all from Coventry – were arrested at the time and then bailed by detectives.

They are currently due to answer bail in mid-January.

[dutchman]

Three charged with murder over death of man in Coventry city centre

Three men have been charged with murder after a man found unconscious in Coventry city centre later died in hospital.

Adam Chandler, previously known as Adam Holmes, was found near Pool Meadow bus station over a year ago on the morning of June 13, 2016.

Police said the 51-year-old had been assaulted and was later taken to hospital where he died from his injuries.

Alex Cooke, 28, from Harnall Lane West; Sean Ennis, 29, from Walsgrave Road; and 36-year-old Rocky Murray, from St Michael’s Road, Stoke, were today charged with his murder.

All three appeared at Coventry Magistrates’ Court this afternoon and were remanded into prison ahead of their next appearance at Warwick Crown Court on Friday, August 11.

[dutchman]

Case dismissed against three men charged over death of homeless man

A case against three men over the manslaughter of a homeless Coventry man has been thrown out by a judge.

Judge Mark Wall QC ruled there was “no case to answer” over the death of Adam Chandler.

The 51-year-old, who was previously known as Adam Holmes, was found injured in Hales Street in Coventry city centre at around 10.50am on June 13, 2016.

Police had been called to reports of an incident which started with the theft of a bicycle. Mr Chandler later died in hospital.

Three men were initially arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident.

Alex Cooke, 28, from Harnall Lane West, and Sean Ennis, 29, from Walsgrave Road were subsequently charged with manslaughter and 36-year-old Rocky Murray, from St Michael’s Road, Stoke, admitted manslaughter.

The trial of Mr Cooke and Mr Ennis began at Birmingham Crown Court but was halted following submissions made by Mr Ennis’ barrister Timothy Raggatt QC and Mr Cooke's barrister Michelle Heeley QC.

The submissions related to evidence by a forensic pathologist and uncertainty as to the precise cause of Mr Chandler’s death.

In his ruling on ‘submission of no case’ Judge Wall said: “The prosecution case is that the deceased, Adam Chandler, stole a bike belonging to Mr Cooke from outside a McDonald’s restaurant in Coventry.

“Mr Ennis, who also had a bike with him, gave chase on his cycle.

“Mr Cooke and a third man by the name of Rocky Murray pursued him on foot. The chase was over a distance of approximately 1,000m.

“It was Mr Ennis on his bike who originally caught up with the deceased.

“He pushed or threw the deceased from his bike causing him to end up on the ground.

“Mr Ennis then began to assault the deceased.

“He was soon joined by Mr Cooke and Mr Murray who similarly assaulted the man on the ground.

“Both and Mr Cooke accept that they chased after the deceased, asserting that they intended to retrieve the stolen bike.

“Mr Ennis does not dispute that he forced the deceased from his bike on to the ground but Mr Ennis and Mr Cooke both deny using any violence to the deceased thereafter.”

In his judgement Judge Wall went on to refer to evidence given by prosecution witness Dr Nicholas Hunt, a forensic pathologist, who said Mr Chandler had a number of “pre-existing health problems”.

They included hepatitis C, a cirrhotic liver, a slightly enlarged heart, a significantly enlarged spleen and osteoporosis.

In addition, toxicological results revealed the level of alcohol in his bloodstream was twice the legal limit for driving and chemicals present indicated he had taken a number of legal and illegal drugs, including cocaine.

Judge Wall said the above combined “rendered him more susceptible to arrhythmia and heart failure than a member of the community without such conditions”.

As it was all charges against Mr Ennis, Mr Cooke and Mr Murray were dismissed.

[dutchman]

The case should never have been brought in the first place!

[rebbonk]

I have to agree with you Dutchman. But one worrying aspect is that one of the defendants had pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He could have gone down for no good reason. This case needs a complete public review.