Death of soldier in Czech bar remains mystery

Colin Robinson, 43, who was described as over six feet tall, healthy and fit, worked as a protection officer for a private security firm in Iraq an in quest at Hastings heard this week.

Mr Robinson, of Lydd Road, who served for 22 years in The Guards, had links with the Czech Republic as he had spent time there training NATO troops.

He died on Boxing Day 2011 when he collapsed moments after telling his airline pilot girlfriend that he felt ill.

The inquest heard that Mr Robinson had been perfectly fit and healthy before and had even gone for a run on Christmas Day.

He had drank five or six beers earlier in the day and was sitting at the bar of Cafe Moravan, in Vyskov, in the evening when he collapsed.

Paramedics tried in vain to resuscitate him.

The inquest heard that he had last served in Burma and had to pass strict medicals in London’s Harley Street before being employed as a protection officer.

Records in the Czech Republic said he died from heart failure but coroner Alan Craze queried this saying: “In this country that would not be enough to register a death without more of a medical cause.”

Pathologist Dr Ian Hawley, who carried out a further examination when the body was returned to the UK, said: “He was a healthy young adult and was fit.”

Dr Hawley said there were no signs of external violence and he could find no evidence of heart disease or a stroke and told the coroner that death was unascertainable.

Alan Craze said: “You are left with the scenario of some sort of electrical or biochemical heart malfunction.”

Dr Hawley replied “Something was going on internally.”

Mr Craze said: “I would like to say he died from natural causes, but that would be speculation on my part.

“With all the uncertainty I must record an open verdict.”

Addressing Mr Robinson’s father and sister, he said: “His death would have been a huge shock to you and it is largely unexplained.”