A MAN shot dead at a travellers site was killed by a shotgun wound to the chest, an inquest heard.

The court heard how Mr Doherty had been shot at his home on Sunday, April 16 and provisional cause of death had been given as shotgun wound to the chest.

Coroners Officer Paul Gamman said: "The circumstances are that this case relates to a 45-year-old man who was on his caravan site in Wickford. It is believed he was shot on Sunday April 16.

"Mr Doherty’s death was sadly confirmed at 9.44pm. A forensic post mortem examination was carried out April 17 at Basildon Hospital by Dr Ben Swift.

"Dr Swift has given a provisional cause of death as shotgun wound to the chest. Histology and toxicology samples have been taken under the police and criminal evidence act."

Senior coroner for Essex County Council, Caroline Beasley Murray opened the proceedings briefly before adjourning the matter pending the submission of police reports.

Mrs Beasley Murray said: "I am opening the inquest touching upon the death of Hugh Doherty and I’m adjourning it to the April 24 for mention because the body cannot be released at this stage.

"I shall require a copy of the post mortem report, a toxicology report and of course the post mortem and the police reports."