Inquest opens into death of dad found near motorway after being 'abducted'

An inquest has opened into the death of a dad found near to a motorway after being "abducted".

Christopher Hughes's body was discovered by a dog walker off White Moss Road South in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, close to the M58 motorway, on February 22. An inquest into the death of Mr Hughes, who lived in the Marsh Green area of Wigan, was formally opened at Bolton Coroner's Court on Tuesday afternoon (April 26).

Police coroner's officer Stefan Wilson told the brief hearing: "Mr Hughes is believed to have been abducted in the Wigan area of Greater Manchester and transported to an area near the M58 motorway, where his body was found by a dog walker on a grass verge. Paramedics attended and declared him deceased."

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Coroner Alan Walsh confirmed that a post-mortem had been carried out on Mr Hughes and gave his medical cause of death as "multiple sharp force injuries". Prof Walsh suspended the inquest pending the conclusion of legal proceedings into Mr Hughes' death.

A total of seven people have been charged by Greater Manchester Police. Alan Jaf, 51, of Ridyard Street, Wigan; Khalil Awla, 48, of Greenwood Avenue, Wigan; Erland Spahiu, 33, of Uppingham, Skelmersdale; Curtis Balbas, 30, of Matheson Drive, Wigan; Dean Smeaton O'Neill-Davey, 29, of Bulteel Street, Wigan; Mohammed Razgar, 40, of Plane Avenue in Wigan, and Adrius Uzkuraitis, 27, of Holly Road, Wigan, have all been charged with conspiracy to murder.

A plea and trial preparation hearing at Manchester Crown Court has been scheduled for June 20.

Christopher's mum, Susan, has previously paid tribute to him, saying: "The family of Chris wish everyone to respect their privacy at this difficult time