THE inquest into the death of a Darwen man who died following an ‘altercation’ at a local pub has been opened and adjourned.

Blackburn Coroner’s Court heard how Thomas Mercer, 56, took ill shortly after returning home from a local pub, where there had been ‘an altercation’.

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He collapsed in his bedroom in Birch Hall Avenue and died at Royal Blackburn Hospital in the early hours of November 5, the court heard.

Coroner Michael Singleton heard the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was still considering bringing criminal charges in relation to Mr Mercer’s death, and adjourned the inquest until a hearing on Thursday, April 23.

The Lancashire Telegraph had previously reported how Mr Mercer, a step-father-of-eight, had been in the Bob Inn pub the evening before his death, and had been playing bingo with his partner of 20 years, Margaret Quinn.

  • A 48-year-old man from Darwen arrested on suspicion of murder has been re-released on police bail until Thursday, April 16, police said yesterday.

He has not yet been charged with any offence.