Tributes paid to young farmer shot dead in field

A murder investigation has been launched after a young farmer and Farmers Weekly competition winner was shot and killed in a field in Derbyshire.

The body of Charles Kinston, 23, was found in a field off Brizlincote Lane in Bretby.

Derbyshire Police said they were called to the scene shortly before 6.30pm on 29 January, but have only now released details of the incident.

Mr Kinston was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have confirmed that a man in his 30s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and has been released on bail while an investigation continues.

DCI Matt Croome, of Derbyshire Police’s East Midlands Major Crime Team, said the incident has had a “significant impact on Mr Kinston’s family, friends and the wider community”.

Investigation ongoing

Due to the ongoing investigation, he said information that could be made public was currently limited.

“However, I want to be clear that the two individuals involved in this incident are known to one another, and officers have mitigated any risk to the wider public at this time,” said DCI Croome.

“Any further updates will be passed as soon as the investigation allows.”

Mr Kinston was a talented amateur inventor – it was his modification of a Land Rover Discovery 1 300Tdi for use for calf-feeding rounds that earned him the third place in the Farmers Weekly inventions competition in 2020.

He had been a member of Netherseal YFC for more than 12 years, and the county organisation, Leicestershire and Rutland YFC, was among the first to pay tribute to him.

“The source of laughter for a strong club, Charles prided himself on enthusiasm and passion for everything he put his mind to,” it posted on Facebook.

“A man with a comeback for any witty comment, who devoted his love to everyone around him, especially his beloved sidekick Beth and son, Albert.”

The YFC urged those who had been affected by his death and needed additional support to contact the YFC’s county office or the Farming Community Network or Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

Mr Kinston’s sister, Hannah Davies, said he had enjoyed “the best times of his life through young farmers and those he met through the organisation”.