Inquest into street attack death closed by coroner
THE inquest into the death of tragic Jodie Wilkinson, who was knifed in broad daylight, has been closed.
Jodie was stabbed on Stanhope Street in the Arthur’s Hill area of Newcastle while walking with friends on October 17, 2016.
Trouble flared with another group, and Jodie was knifed, despite being on the periphery of the group, in front of shocked parents and schoolchildren.
Desperate efforts were made to save her, but the 27-year-old suffered massive internal bleeding from the wound to her abdomen and died at the city’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.
Criminal proceedings were subsequently launched, and David Waterston stood trial accused of murdering Jodie but was found not guilty by a jury following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court last year.
Darryn Jordan, Shaun Young, Kyle Bennett and George Stewart were later jailed for their parts in the violent disorder.
At Newcastle Coroner’s Court, coroner Karen Dilks formally closed the inquest in a short hearing.
She said: “Jodie’s case was the subject of criminal proceedings and upon notification of the news from the Crown Prosecution Service, I suspended the investigation and adjourned the inquest.
“I have subsequently been informed by both the CPS and Newcastle Crown Court that a trial took place.
“The details leading to Jodie’s death have been explored in great detail in crown court proceedings. My decision therefore is I do not feel there is sufficient reason to reopen Jodie’s inquest.”
Jodie’s killer remains at large, despite a string of public appeals and a high-profile investigation. Popular Jodie was a proud recipient of a Chronicle Young Achiever award in 2010 after turning her life around, and overcoming homelessness, among other problems.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101.
Young, 21, of Stanhope Street, Newcastle; Jordan, 26, of Bentinck Road, Newcastle; Bennett, 25, of Queens Court, Newcastle; and Stewart, 23, of Hamilton Place, Newcastle, all pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Young, who was in breach of a suspended sentence, was jailed for three years; Jordan for 18 months; Bennett for 20 months; and Stewart for 16 months.