A young dad was stabbed multiple times outside a block of flats in a suspected murder, an inquest has heard.
Ashton Harrington, 19, died after being found seriously injured in Whitstable, just after 2am on Good Friday.
Despite the efforts of paramedics and an air ambulance crew, he could not be saved.
On Friday, coroner Daniel Cooper opened the inquest into his death at Oakwood House, Maidstone.
He told the court how police received a number of calls to Windsor House in Belmont Road.
The father-of-one was found to have “injuries consistent with stab wounds to his torso and groin”.
The coroner also confirmed Ashton’s time of death as 3.08am – more than an hour after the call first came in.
He gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.
Inquest proceedings were today adjourned until after the two men accused of his murder go on trial.
Kieron Barnes, 19, and Tobias Agbaje, 21, have both been charged with murder.
Barnes, of Romney Court, Sittingbourne, and Agbaje, of Claremont Street, Herne Bay, are due to stand trial at Maidstone Crown Court on November 30.
Ashton’s death devastated his family, including his mum Camille, stepdad Conor, grandmother Lorraine and younger brothers Bentley, 12, and Caisley, 11.
He also leaves behind an 18-month-old daughter.
Last month, his mum described him as a loyal and hugely popular teenager who had embraced fatherhood at the age of 17.
She said: “He had such a bubbly personality and would light up the whole room with his infectious laugh, which made everyone else laugh too.”
Fundraising appeals launched in Ashton’s memory have raised more than £10,000 to help cover funeral costs and support local crime prevention charity Safer Kent.
His funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 20, with the family hoping hundreds of riders will accompany his hearse through Canterbury later in tribute to his love of motorcycles and the biking community.
His stepdad, Conor, has appealed online for bikers to take part in the procession on Wednesday, May 20.
He says the gesture would honour Ashton “in a way that truly reflected who he was”.
“He loved bikes, the community, and the energy of being surrounded by people who shared that passion,” he said.
“Being on a bike meant so much to him – it’s where he felt alive, connected, and happy.
“Losing him has changed our lives forever, but we can come together to celebrate him in the way he would have wanted. Seeing everyone ride, gather, and share stories about him will mean more than words can say.
“He would have loved this. He would have been right there, smiling, surrounded by all of you.
“Thank you to everyone that can make this day, ride in his honour, and continues to keep his memory alive. Please keep riding safe and looking out for one another – that’s what he would have wanted most.
“Forever loved. Forever missed.”
Almost 40 bikers have already confirmed they will attend through a social media page set up to organise “Ashton’s final ride”, with the family hoping many more will join on the day.
Riders are due to meet at Morrisons supermarket car park near the petrol station in Ten Perch Road, Wincheap, at 11.40am before leaving at 12.20pm.
The procession will then travel to Ashton’s family home on the London Road Estate before following the hearse to St Thomas Church in Burgate, Canterbury, for the funeral service.
Afterwards, bikers will accompany the hearse to the cemetery.
