A MAN who was allegedly run over in a Sainsbury’s car park died of blunt force head injuries, an inquest has heard.

Christopher Gadd, 48, of Mynyddislwyn, Blackwood died in the supermarket’s car park in Pontllanfraith on March 4 this year.

Yesterday, his inquest opening in Newport Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Gadd died in the car park as emergency services tried to save his life.

Pathologist Richard Jones gave a provisional cause of death as “blunt force head injury, including a complex skull fracture”. Mr Gadd’s body was released to his family, and the inquest was adjourned until August 2.

Timothy Higgins, 22, formerly of The Glade, Wyllie, Blackwood, was arrested after the incident, and pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Gadd.

Mr Higgins also denied driving without insurance and otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He appeared in Cardiff Crown Court on April 29 to deny the charges put to him.

His trial is due to start at a date yet to be fixed at the end of July.

The Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Eleri Rees, granted him conditional bail.