Apr 11, 20225 min read

Heroic neighbour paid ultimate price for assisting a woman in distress

Neighbours had reported hearing a female screaming and shouting for help.

A female and a young child had managed to flee the address prior to police arrival.

However, Richard Woodcock, from a neighbouring property, had gone to the address to help save a young boy, as it was believed he was still in the property, and at risk of significant harm

Det Ch Insp Stuart Blaik

An inquest into the death of City Council highways officer Richard Woodcock, aged 38 on 26th June 2021 was held earlier this month at Milton Keynes Coroner's Court

Coroner Tom Osborne ruled that Mr Woodcock was unlawfully killed, and a post-mortem into his death showed he had suffered traumatic head injuries, consistent with repeated blows to the head.

So what circumstances arose which led to the horrific murder of a young professional man described as "a very popular man" within Milton Keynes Council. in a residential area in his home town?

On the morning in question Richard and his wife were at home in their flat in Two Mile Ash, Milton Keynes when a screaming woman, their next door neighbour and a young child had come rushing to his home and according to witnesses she was “fearful of her life and was obviously in an agitated state",

Richard's wife Kelly called 999 whilst Richard decided to go to the next door flat where the woman lived as she was extremely distressed that her other two year old child was in still in the flat and was in serious danger

Mr Woodcock went next door to help the child. When the door opened, he was dragged in and seriously assaulted “to the point where he was hit with a 4kg weight and the inquest found that he was killed by being repeatedly hit around the head with a kettle-bell,

Police from Thames Valley Police who were called to the ongoing disturbance police were unable to get in as the door was locked, but firearms officers, who responded to the incident to provide urgent support capacity forced their way in and found the body of Mr Woodcock on the floor and "a distressed young child within the address,

Also at the property was another man, now known to be Mr Kelvin Igweani aged 24 who "immediately became aggressive" towards the officers. The officers, all wearing body-cams fired a taser at him, but this was 'ineffective' and he managed to barricade himself within the main bedroom .

The armed officers then tried to gain entry to that bedroom where the boy child could be heard crying, as well as the sounds of an ongoing assault.

A police firearm was discharged once officers gained entry to the bedroom, and first aid was administered officer shots were fired and Mr Igweani suffered gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police officers and ambulance staff gave first aid, but said Mr Igweani was declared dead at 10.33am.

The IOPC - the independent office for Police Conduct opened an investigation into Mr Igweani's death as it is within their remit to investigate if someone had direct or indirect contact with the police when, or shortly before, they were seriously injured or died. However, forces only need to refer cases where the contact may have caused or contributed to the death or injury

Independent Office for Police Conduct

Speaking at the opening of the inquest into Mr Igweani's death, David Bannister from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the IOPC was aware that Thames Valley Police received a 999 call concerning a domestic incident.

The officers heard noises from the room, and believed that Mr Igweani was harming the child. The officers forced entry into the room. As officers gained entry into this room, Mr Igweani moved towards them, and one officer fired four shots.

David Bannister, IOPC

He told the hearing that the IOPC has viewed body-worn video evidence and seen that the armed officers forced entry into the property, and immediately came across a dead man. He said: "They were then confronted by Mr Kelvin Igweani and Taser was discharged. This Taser discharge was ineffective. Mr Igweani moved to another room in the address and closed the door. The officers identified that Mr Igweani was in the room with a young child.

The inquest heard how a post-mortem examination had taken place at Milton Keynes University Hospital and the medical cause of death for Mr Woodcock was given atraumatic head injuries.

An inquest into Mr Igweani's death will be held at a later date.

"Kelvin Igweani is suspected of the murder of Richard Woodcock and the serious assault of the young male child within the address,

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Blaik from Thames Valley Police major crime unit,

In a statement, Milton Keynes Council, said: "Richard was a much valued member of our team. Our thoughts are with Richard's family and loved ones, and with his colleagues who will miss him greatly."

The coroner said the child suffered serious injuries and spent two months in hospital, but had made a full recovery. he further went on to say that Mr Woodcock was assaulted and “his life was lost” but “he saved the life of a two-year-old boy”.

In a tribute to Richard Woodcock that was made by his family last year, they said:

“We have always been so proud of Richard and everything that he has achieved in life. We are devastated that Richard has been taken from us in such circumstances but we are also so immensely proud of the sacrifice that he has made to try and save a little boy’s life.

“His actions (on Saturday morning) were the type of man he was and that is how we would like him remembered."

Dedicated to the heroism of Richard Woodcock

With malice aforethought UK

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