Man 'allegedly hit by son' before death - coroner

A pensioner died in hospital after allegedly being hit in the face by his son, a coroner has said.

Opening an inquest, Essex area coroner Michelle Brown said Thomas Collier, 79, of Philip Road, in Witham, was admitted to hospital with drowsiness and facial bruising on 8 January.

Mr Collier's son reportedly told police at the time that his father had received the injuries after falling out of bed, Ms Brown said.

Jimmy Collier - 41 years old and of the same address - has been charged with murder and will next appear before court on 24 February.

The inquest, in Chelmsford, heard how CT scans on Mr Collier showed two bleeds on his brain.

On 12 January, his condition deteriorated and he had "a rapid decline in consciousness", Ms Brown said.

His condition did not improve and he died at 21:30 GMT.

A provisional cause of death was given as bronchopneumonia, immobility and rib fractures, pending neuropathology and histology results.

The inquest was adjourned and will be reviewed in four months' time.

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