Friends tell of horror at seeing death

Friends of a Staffordshire man have spoken of their horror at watching him die in front of them after he was in collision with a car.

A 19-year-old man has since been charged with the murder of Cannock father Christopher Hatfield, 39.

Jimmy Barratt, 33, and his girlfriend,Emma Kovacs, today paid tribute to Mr Hatfield, of Rigby Drive, Chadsmoor, who died just after midnight on Saturday.

Mr Barratt today told the Express & Star that his friend died yards from their home.

He said: "Thirty seconds later and we would have been at our front door.

"We had met up in Hednesford and gone to the Hen House for just a few drinks and we had got a pizza and were just on our way home.

"It happened right in front of us and it was horrible. We haven't been able to get it out our heads since it happened." Mr Barratt, of Green Heath Road said: "He was a dedicated Baggies fan and a really helpful hard working man. We have been struggling a bit but Chris was always there to help us out. He was friend for life."

Emma Kovacs, who was with the two men on Friday night added: "Chris was really nice man and there was no badness in him at all. It has shaken us about a bit, it was the worst night of our lives."

Mr Hatfield was originally from Walsall Wood and attended Shire Oak School in Lichfield Road. He was a big fan of 80's music and his favourite song was Broken Land by The Adventurers.

He is the father of a son, Christian, eight. Close friend and former partner Linda Cotterill lived with Mr Hatfield for seven years. She said: "I am absolutely gutted.

"I'm still in shock at the news, it's just unbelievable, I was only speaking to him on Friday.

"He was a tremendous person who would brighten your day up with his jokes and smiles. He was a lovely man who had a lot to live for.

"He was very intelligent and when he left school he got the highest grades in the school for A-levels and was particularly good at science and maths.

"He was a best friend to me and he was always there for me when I have had difficult time in my life and was a great support."

Ashley Lunn of Sandpiper Close, Hednesford, will appear at Stafford Crown Court on Monday October 27 charged with murder.