Man bitten by dog on Wakefield path 'died from complications of leg wound', inquest hears

A man bitten by a dog on a West Yorkshire footpath died from complications of a wound on his leg, an inquest opening has heard.

James Judge, 55, died following an incident on an old train line footpath off Blacker Lane in Wakefield on 15 August.

Lee Ellis, also aged 55, has been charged with manslaughter and being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.

An inquest into Mr Judge's death was opened and adjourned on Monday.

Acting senior coroner Oliver Longstaff said Mr Judge died at Leeds General Infirmary, where he was transported after the incident, and was identified by his mother.

A post-mortem examination gave a provisional cause of death as complications of a right leg wound caused by a dog bite.

The inquest heard Mr Judge was unmarried and was born in Horbury, Wakefield, where he was also living at the time of his death.

Read more from Sky News:
At least five dead in plane crash
Convicted rapist linked to 'further alleged offences'

Mr Longstaff said the inquest would be adjourned, pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

He added: "Whether an inquest is required to be resumed cannot be answered until the conclusion of that process."

Ellis, of Calder Grove, Wakefield, is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court on 16 September.

(c) Sky News 2026: Man bitten by dog on Wakefield path 'died from complications of leg wound', inquest hears