A MAN who had battled alcohol addiction since the age of 15 hanged himself after returning to binge drinking following 12 months on the wagon.

An inquest heard that Christopher Taylor, 33, was found by his partner Elizabeth Anderson, hanging by a silk scarf from the roof space at their home in Broadhead Road, Edgworth.

Miss Anderson told the inquest that she had been with Mr Taylor for seven and a half years and he had battled alcohol addiction throughout that time.

From time to time he would go into detoxification to try and overcome his problem. For nearly 12 months before his death he had stayed away from alcohol but in the weeks before his death she said he had a serious relapse.

She said Mr Taylor had a history of self-harm, on numerous occasions cutting his arms. "He said he used to do it to cut out the pain. It used to stop him hurting," said Miss Anderson.

On the day of his death in October, Miss Anderson had spent time reassuring Mr Taylor before she took the child to school. She said he was very low and very upset.

"He seemed scared about his life in relation to his drinking," said Miss Anderson.

"He was scared about what was happening and didn't seem able to control what he was doing. I felt that he realised what he was putting everyone else through and that upset him even more".

Community psychiatric nurse Angela Murphy said she had several meetings with Mr Taylor but eventually concluded that his needs were alcohol driven, not psychological, and she had referred him to the community alcohol team.

Recording a verdict of suicide, coroner Michael Singleton said Mr Taylor had fought hard to overcome his problems but had eventually succumbed to them. "It is tragic that he leaves behind a loving family and young son who now faces growing up without a father."