A suspected murder victim was found by police officers with a “knife between his shoulder blades”, an inquest has heard.

The investigation into the death of Alan Tomkins, who was found in his flat in Gun Lane, Strood, last Friday (July 26) was opened today (August 2).

Area coroner Katrina Hepburn heard a “concerned friend” of the 61-year-old called the police in the evening of July 25 as they had not heard from him and he had not been at work.

They were also supposed to have met with Mr Tomkins the day before but he had not shown, the court heard.

Reading the opening statement, Ms Hepburn said: “Police attended his residence on July 26 and heard his phone ringing.”

Officers then forced entry into the flat, in Newark Court, where they found Mr Tomkins with a “knife in place between his shoulder blades.”

His cause of death was given as a stab wound to his left chest.

Ms Hepburn opened the inquest, however, due to an ongoing murder investigation, she suspended the full hearing.

Police officers were called to Gun Lane at around 12.30am on July 26 and were stationed outside the flats throughout the day.

Speaking at the time, a woman, who lives in the same block, said: “The police turned up and were banging on his door since around 12am.

“One police officer asked if I had seen him but I said not for a few days, which is odd as he is seen every day coming and going.

“Around an hour or two later they rammed the door through. They taped the block off and arrested a woman.”

Nina Mercer, also of Gun Lane, who was known to the victim, was arrested at around 4am the same day.

The 42-year-old was later charged with murder and appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday (July 29).

She was remanded in custody and appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday (July 30) by videolink, where she was further remanded.

Her two-week trial will begin on February 10.