A dad-to-be who was fatally stabbed died from a wound to the groin, an inquest has heard.

Malikhi Ford was found in Temple Hill Square, Dartford, after he was injured.

The 22-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene after allegedly being attacked in a communal parking area in Mallard Close.

At an inquest opened at County Hall, Maidstone, this morning, it was confirmed that Mr Ford was born on January 15, 2000 and died in Temple Hill Square, Dartford, on April 2. He lived in Annesley Road, London.

The cause of death was given as a stab wound to the left groin area.

Coroner Alan Blunsdon said: "The circumstances are that Mr Ford was allegedly attacked by three unknown males in a car where he was fatally stabbed and had a cardiac arrest. Emergency services attended but medical intervention did not manage to save him."

The hearing was adjourned until November 3.

At 7.13pm on Saturday, April 2 police received a report that a man had been found in the square with a serious injury caused by a stab wound.

Officers were working at the scene for days to establish the full circumstance before arresting two suspects.

Emanuel Nkrumah-Buansi, 22, of Mayplace Road East in Bexleyheath, and Jacob Afolabi, 26, from Bevis Close in Dartford, were charged on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident and appeared in court last month.

They are in custody to stand trial at a later date at Woolwich Crown Court.

After his death, it was revealed that Malikhi, known as Mally, died just two weeks before he was due to become a dad for the first time.

In a tribute online, his family described him as their "loving, funny and playful beautiful boy".

"Right now it’s hard to put the words together," they said.

"We are struggling to find the words to say and writing this with a broken heart.

"Our loving, funny and playful beautiful boy’s life and future was stolen in the most disgustingly cruel way on April 2.

"He had so much to live for. He was just 22 years old, with his baby due in two weeks.

"He was so young with his whole life ahead of him. There are so many broken hearts."