Coroner issues warrants for absent witnesses (From Warrington Guardian)

Coroner issues warrants for absent witnesses

A CORONER is to issue warrants for two key witnesses who failed to attend an inquest last week into the death of Runcorn teenager Jordan McGrath.

If Shaun McCloughlin and Joseph Elson, both from Halton Brook, don't agree to turn up at the next date, they will be arrested and forced to attend, Cheshire Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg warned last week.

"They are probably keeping their heads down," Mr Rheinberg told Jordan's grieving family at the reopening of the inquest before he was forced to adjourn it again.

"I will sign summonses for them to attend so that if they don't they can be arrested.

"This isn't something they can take lightly now."

Jordan McGrath died outside a pub in Halton Brook in the early hours of Sunday, August 28.

Police believe the 18-year-old Liverpool fan's death was linked to the use of cocaine and alcohol.

A new inquest date of February 14 has been set.