THE body of a 32-year-old caretaker was found by his partner of nine years hanging in the bedroom of his home in Bury.

Mrs Sandra Brown found Raymond John Falcus hanging by a dressing-gown cord in the bedroom of his home in Marquis Avenue, on Wednesday morning.

Speaking at the opening of the inquest into his death Mrs Brown said she had categorically denied the accusation that she was having an affair, but said Mr Falcus would not believe her.

Coroner Mr Barrie Williams heard their turbulent relationship had ended in a split, but the mother-of-three said they had got back together and "everything was brilliant" until that morning.

Mr Falkus was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, but CID investigations concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances or evidence of third party involvement.

Evidence of identification was given at yesterday's hearing in Rochdale by Mr Falcus' sister, Kimberley, of Egerton Street, Heywood.

She said her brother had set up his own motor body repair business but had subsequently been unemployed for five years before recently getting his caretaker job at Hopwood Hall College in Middleton.

His relationship with Mrs Brown had had "its ups and downs", and he had come to his sister's home on Monday, February 16 in an "upset state".

Kimberley said she had taken her brother seriously when he had previously said that he had tablets and it would be easy to take his own life.

However he had taken her to work that morning - she was a caterer at Hopwood Hall - and later said he was going to see Sandra again.

Mr Williams adjourned the case for further reports.

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