‘Heroic’ neighbour died in kettlebell attack saving two-year-old

Richard Woodcock went to the aid of a child being assaulted next door, who was saved by his ‘heroic conduct’. Photograph: PA

A “heroic” neighbour who sacrificed his life to save a two-year-old boy died after being repeatedly hit with a kettlebell, a coroner has said.

The body of Richard Woodcock, 38, a highways officer, was found by Thames Valley police when they forced their way into a property in Milton Keynes on 26 June last year.