Gavin Collins, of Tibshelf in Derbyshire charged with murder of Terry Radford, who was hit by a car on Friday

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The family of a retired teacher has paid tribute to “the most wonderful dad and grandad” who was killed when he was hit by a car in an incident being treated as murder.

Terry Radford, 87, was pronounced dead shortly after the collision in which a car hit a number of other vehicles near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, on Friday.

A 38-year-old man appeared in court on Monday charged with the former magistrate’s murder and a string of other offences.

Gavin Collins, of Tibshelf in Derbyshire, is also charged with kidnap, robbery, attempted robbery, two counts of burglary and two counts of aggravated taking of a vehicle without consent.

Wearing a light green T-shirt and grey jogging bottoms, he spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth in a seven-minute hearing at Nottingham magistrates court.

Radford’s family described the 87-year-old as “the most wonderful dad and grandad” and spoke of their devastation after his death.

In a tribute released through Nottinghamshire police, Radford’s family said: “We’re absolutely devastated at the loss of the most wonderful dad and grandad who was loved and respected by everyone.

“He was the hub of our family. He was 87 but remained intelligent, articulate and funny. He was great company to be with and was as sharp as a pin.

“He was extremely fit and most people took him for a healthy 70-year-old.”

The statement continued: “Having looked after mum, who had extreme dementia, and who we lost last September, he was finally getting his life back.

“He had three holidays planned for this year including to the USA and a European river cruise.

“Now he won’t get to live out those dreams and his family and wide circle of friends won’t get to share more great times with him. We ask for privacy at this extremely difficult and upsetting time.”

Radford was a retired teacher who taught at Valley Comprehensive, now known as Outwood Academy Valley, Worksop, between 1979 and 1994.

He was a former councillor in the village of Mansfield Woodhouse in the 1960s and 70s and a local magistrate from the 1970s to 1994, police said.

Officers were originally called to a report that a car had crashed into a residential building in nearby Skegby at 9.10am on Good Friday.

An air ambulance attended the scene of the second incident to treat the pedestrian for his injuries, but he was was pronounced dead a short time later.

Collins was remanded in custody to appear at Nottingham crown court on 24 April.