A FORMER headteacher was found dead at his home after sending police a letter saying he intended to kill himself, an inquest has been told.

Alan Robinson, 70, who until retirement was the head of St Charles RC Primary in Rishton, was found hanged at his home on Delamere Close, Mill Hill, Blackburn on June 3.

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An inquest in Blackburn heard a statement from Sgt Gillian Moulton of Lancashire police.

She said she was handed a letter at 11.25am on June 3 signed by Mr Robinson which had been sent to police.

The letter, which was post-franked on the previous day, outlined his intentions.

And he asked for officers to attend his home address and deal with the situation and inform his next of kin.

Sgt Moulton attended and as per the letter there was a front door key under a recycling bin.

On entrance she found another note stuck to the porch door saying ‘police only’ and letters to his family and friends, financial documents and a mobile phone neatly laid out in the lounge.

She then made the discovery of his body.

Mr Robinson was described as a ‘very well respected’ former head teacher.

He left children Andrew, Anthony and Catherine and their mum Maureen.

The inquest heard that Mr Robinson had been treated for depression since 2002 and had sent a similar letter to police in April this year.

On that occasion officers had intervened.

He was subsequently treated as an in-patient at a mental health unit in Burnley.

On release he was said to have had a ‘positive outlook’ and was sleeping and eating well.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict that he had killed himself.