A MAN who died in Keighley earlier this month was stabbed, an inquest hearing was told yesterday. 

Assistant Coroner Raja Mahmood opened the inquest into the death of 49-year-old George Charles Thomas Dore at Bradford Coroners’ Court.

Police were called to a property on Fell Lane on Thursday, April 8, where Mr Dore was found with a serious injury.

He was taken to Airedale General Hospital, but died a short time later.

The brief hearing, held virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions, heard Mr Dore was at his home address with his girlfriend and lodger. 

At around 3.40am, three people turned up at the address and an altercation took place, resulting in Mr Dore being stabbed. 

Coroners’ officer Laura Sinfield said a provisional cause of death had been given as a stab wound to the chest. 

The inquest was adjourned with a provisional date for its resumption set for August 26 this year. 

Mr Mahmood requested the forensic post-mortem report, a GP report from Mr Dore’s surgery, a toxicology report and an update from police be provided to the coroners’ court in the coming weeks.

Following Mr Dore’s death, his family said in a tribute: “He was a kind, generous, well liked local man who was much loved and will be greatly missed.

“A legend of the town that was loved.”

Mr Dore’s death prompted a large-scale police presence in the area, as their investigation got underway.

A large police cordon was initially put up between the road’s junction with Nile Street.

Later in the day this was pushed back from Nile Street to Thorncliffe Road.
There were a number of police officers guarding the scene, with four police cars and two forensic vans.

One of the forensic officers could be seen taking a photo of the property’s door.

Two evidence markers were placed just outside on the footpath - about a metre apart.

Police officers were also spotted using a contraption to clear and search for items in some of the drains in the area, later in the day. 

Four detectives arrived at the scene in the early afternoon and held a lengthy conversation with one of the forensic officers.

People spoke of their shock following Mr Dore’s death. 

Councillor Julie Lintern (Lab, Keighley West) said at the time: “It’s a scary time at the moment, but I have been assured that it was an isolated incident, it seems to be. 

“It’s not something that should concern residents as a whole.

“Obviously my condolences go out to the gentleman who was killed.

“It’s an absolute shock when anything like this happens anywhere, but it was totally unexpected.

“It’s worrying, but seemingly it’s not something that we need to worry about more widely.”

Three people were arrested on April 8 in connection with Mr Dore’s death, with West Yorkshire Police confirming on Monday, April 12, they had all been charged with murder.

Anthony Atha, 53, of West Bank Close, Keighley, Leslie Walker, 46, and Angela Thornton, 48, both of Nightingale Street, Keighley, made an initial appearance at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on that day.

They then appeared before Bradford Crown Court the following day and were remanded in custody.

A provisional trial date has been set for September 27.