Man charged over fatal shooting of award-winning farmer

A man has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of an award-winning young farmer in Derbyshire more than two years ago.

The body of Charles Kinston, 23, was found in a field off Brizlincote Lane, Bretby, near Swadlincote, on 29 January 2024.

Joseph Simpkins, 37, of Brizlincote Lane, Bretby, has been charged with manslaughter, possessing ammunition for a firearm without a certificate and possessing prohibited ammunition.

He has been released on bail and is due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on 15 June, Derbyshire Police said.

According to the Farmers Weekly magazine, Kinston was a “talented amateur inventor”.

His modification of a Land Rover Discovery for calf-feeding rounds – an off-road milk float – earned him third place in the Farmers Weekly inventions competition in 2020.

‘Much-loved’

In February 2024, the Leicestershire Federation of Young Farmers’ clubs described Kinston as a “kind and generous character”.

A spokeswoman said the organisation was “devastated” at the news of his death and offered “deepest condolences” to his family.

She added Kinston had been a member of Netherseal YFC for more than 12 years.

“He was a much-loved, kind and generous character who knew how to make everyone laugh,” the spokeswoman said.

“In this long association with YFC, he touched the lives of many and his loss will be difficult to come to terms with.”

Police previously said officers were called to the field at 18:30 GMT on 29 January 2024, and Kinston was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

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