A teenager who was held in a headlock for so long that he stopped breathing was unlawfully killed, an inquest ruled.

Coroner Michael Singleton said he will pass his findings to the Crown Prosecution Service who will consider whether to reopen the investigation into Daniel Freeston's death.

John Butterworth was previously charged with Mr Freeston's murder, but the charge was dropped after prosecutors decided he had used reasonable force against the 18-year-old who had got into his house, in Water Street, Accrington.

But an inquest yesterday heard that Butterworth, 50, had held Daniel in a headlock for so long that he had stopped breathing, turned purple and lost consciousness.

Paramedics said he was probably already dead by the time they arrived on the scene.

East Lancashire coroner, Michael Singleton, said: "John Butterworth maintains that he was acting in self defence and it certainly seems that when Daniel Freeston was in his property making threats he was entitled to use reasonable force to remove him and restrain him.

"It seems to me that there must have come a time when Daniel Freeston was no longer offering any resistance.

"In that time John Butterworth was no longer acting in self defence and by continuing to apply pressure I am satisfied that amounts to an unlawful act."

He added: "I don't think he intended to either to kill him or to cause serious harm, but he did act unlawfully and that brought about the demise of Daniel Freeston."

Mr Singleton said he would report his findings to the Crown Prosecution Service and that it would be up to them to decide what further action should be taken.

Daniel's mum, Tracie Collier, 46, of Church Street, Church, wept as the coroner gave his verdict.

Speaking after the inquest, she said: "We have got what we wanted and now we want to be left alone so we can let Daniel rest in peace."

A spokeswoman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: "We are unable to comment until we have got a copy of the report from the coroner."

Mr Butterworth, who did not speak during the inquest, said he could not comment on the verdict.

Detective Inspector Pete Broome said: "In line with the coroner's pronouncement the matter will now be referred once again to the Crown Prosecution Service for further consideration of the issue."

Daniel, of Blackamoor Road, Blackburn, was awaiting trial after being accused of and pleading not guilty to rape and Mr Butterworth was to be a witness at the trial, which had been set for August.