A 37-year-old man has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a young award-winning farmer in Derbyshire, more than two years after the incident shocked the local UK farming community.According to a BBC report, the body of 23-year-old Charles Kinston was found in a field off Brislincote Road in Britby, near Swadlincote, on January 29, 2024. Police said officers were called to the scene at around 6.30pm GMT, with Kinston pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Accused of manslaughter
Derbyshire Police have confirmed that Joseph Simpkins, 37, of Brislincote Lane, Britby, has been charged with manslaughter, possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate and possession of prohibited ammunition.Simpkins has been released on bail and is scheduled to appear at South Derbyshire Magistrates Court on June 15, authorities said.
The young farmer was recognized for innovation
Kinston was widely known in agricultural circles for his creativity and engineering skills. Farmers Weekly magazine had previously described him as a “talented amateur inventor.”In 2020, he took third place in the Inventions Deployment Competition after modifying a Land Rover Discovery into an off-road milk float designed for calf feeding tours.
The farming community mourned his death
Following his death in February 2024, the Leicestershire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs described Kinston as a “much likeable, kind and generous character”.A club spokesman said he had been associated with the Netherseal Young Farmers’ Club for more than 12 years and was known for his cheerful personality.“He was a very likeable, kind and generous character who knew how to make everyone laugh,” the spokesman said at the time, adding that his loss would be “difficult to come to terms with.”
