A “heroic” neighbour who sacrificed his own life to protect a toddler was killed after being repeatedly struck with a dumbbell, a coroner has said.

Richard Woodcock, 38, was found dead by Thames Valley Police officers after they forced their way into a property in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, on 26 June 2021.

Officers were called to the scene at around 9.40am over an ongoing disturbance at the residence before discovering his body.

Milton Keynes Coroner’s Court heard how he tried to help a two-year-old boy who was thought to be in danger at the next-door flat.

A 24-year-old male, Kelvin Odichukumma Igweani, was subsequently shot dead by a police officer at the scene.

‘He saved the life of a two-year-old boy’

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.

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He added that the little boy, who suffered life-threatening injuries and needed surgery, was saved by Mr Woodcock’s “heroic conduct”.

It is understood that a large kettlebell was used as a weapon on Mr Woodcock, the court heard.

Mr Woodcock was assaulted and “his life was lost”, the coroner said, but “he saved the life of a two-year-old boy”.

The court was told he had reacted after an “altercation” in the neighbouring flat, which had sent a screaming woman rushing to his home who was “fearful of her life and was obviously in an agitated state”.

When he went to help, the door was opened, and he was dragged in and attacked “to the point where he was hit with a 4kg dumbbell”, the coroner said.

Mr Osborne added that the victim’s death has had a “devastating” effect on his family, who will be “haunted” by what happened and that a life was “needlessly” taken.

Victim intervened after woman’s cry for help

Earlier, the court had heard that Mr Woodcock’s wife was on a 999 call to police after being alerted by a woman who was shouting for help.

Mr Woodcock then decided to go and see if he could help the child who was in the flat. A woman and another young child had managed to flee the address before the police arrived.

When the police forced their way in, they immediately saw a dead man, later identified as Mr Woodcock.

Detective Sergeant Mike West, of Thames Valley Police, told the court that two firearms officers had responded to the incident and were at the scene.

A Taser was used on Mr Igweani, who had become “aggressive”, Mr West said.

“Officers gained entry to the address and saw Mr Woodcock prone on the floor. There was a large kettlebell and he had significant head injuries,” he added.

Police opened fire after man barricaded himself in bedroom

Mr Igweani barricaded himself in the main bedroom after a Taser was discharged but was ineffective, the inquest was previously told.

Armed officers tried to get into that room, 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.

The coroner said that “officer shots were fired and Mr Igweani suffered gunshot wounds” and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The coroner said the child suffered serious injuries and spent two months in hospital, but had made a full recovery.

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

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