THE former boyfriend of a woman who police thought had been murdered killed himself because he couldn't bear to live without her.

An inquest heard that Shaun Michael Robinson took an overdose of sleeping pills and pain killers mixed with alcohol after seeing a report of the death of his 'beloved' Christine Moore on television.

And the inquest was told that her death was the third tragedy to hit Mr Robinson in as many years. His sister, Jenny, had died, followed a year later by his then partner Linda Crawford.

His life was thrown into further turmoil when he discovered Christine was seeing another man while he was serving a jail sentence.

A Great Harwood man had been charged with her murder but it was later dropped when police said they were still unsure how Miss Moore's head injury had been caused.

But a note found near his body revealed the full extent of his despair following her death.

The letter, which was read to the inquest, said: "Dear Chris. You never deserved what happened love, never. I blame myself for not being there. I only wish it was me.

"I will always love you in my tin pot way. We both know we love each other. I'll be with you babe when this is over, I want to see him get what he deserves, then I will come and see you dance for Me. Simply the best (Tina Turner) you are still the best Chris.

"Sorry Chris, thanks for knowing and caring."

John Bamber told the inquest that he had known Mr Robinson for 25 years. He said his friend had taken the deaths of his sister and partner very badly but it was only following the death of Christine Moore that he talked of ending his own life.

Mr Robinson had visited Mr Bamber on June 8 and told him he had been to see Christine and they had argued because she was seeing someone else.

"It was clear he had been in a fight," said Mr Bamber.

The following day they saw the report of Miss Moore's death and Mr Bamber said his friend had been deeply affected. He said he was concerned that he might be implicated in her death and started talking about taking his own life.

On June 12, Mr Bamber went to visit family in Brierfield and Mr Robinson went with him. Mr Bamber said that his friend could go back to his house in Pendle Street, Blackburn, and gave him the keys and lent him the bus fare home.

On June 14 a friend of Mr Bamber's, Paul Jackson, called at the Pendle Street house and saw Mr Robinson through the rear window, apparently asleep in an armchair. He said that he knew Mr Robinson took sleeping tablets and didn't try to waken him.

He returned the next day and Mr Robinson was lying on the floor and obviously dead.

The medical cause of death was given as an overdose of sleeping tablets and paracetamol with alcohol.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict that Mr Robinson killed himself.

Christine was found dead at her home in Emma Street, Accrington, in June, the night after having a violent row with a man in the street.