THE family of a man who experts said could have died from a ‘violent sneeze’ hope to finally get answers about his death.

John Kiernan, 38, was described as having an ‘eggshell brain’ after an assault days before his death on November 30, 2010.

Damien Walker, 37, was jailed for an assault on Mr Kiernan after prosecutor Charles Brown dropped a manslaughter charge – much to the anger of the victim’s family.

Now in a new twist, a two-day inquest will aim to find out exactly how he died.

Coroner Michael Singleton could even call Walker as a crucial witness as he will be a free man by March.

In July last year, Mr Brown, for the CPS, told Judge Stuart Baker that despite Walker admitting punching Mr Kiernan in the face five times hours before his death, he would not be putting the case before a jury.

Instead, Walker was jailed for two-and-half-years after pleading guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Kiernan’s sister Mary Balkwill, 47, said: “We have told the coroner of our concerns.

“The CPS completely blanked us. We only had a letter to say their decision was final.

“We are hoping the inquest could provide some answers and finally get some justice for John. We are devastated that we have still not got any answers about John’s death.”

Mr Kiernan was assaulted at 5am on November 29, 2010, and again at 4.30pm.

He then managed to walk one mile from his home in Stansfeld Street to Walker’s flat in Kingsbridge Wharf, Mill Hill, where he collapsed.

He died in hospital from a bleed on the brain the next day.

Mr Brown told Judge Baker that the attack was ‘probably’ the cause, but that neuro-pathologists could not rule out a fall or another explanation such as a ‘violent sneeze’.

Lancashire CPS Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Ian Rushton later defended the organisation’s approach, but accepted Mr Kiernan’s relatives were ‘extremely disappointed’ with the explanation.

Det Supt Neil Hunter, who led the original investigation, said: “Between the guilty plea and the sentencing we conducted further inquiries and reviewed all the evidence.

“But unfortunately we were not able to provide additional evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service.”

East Lancashire coroner Michael Singleton will proceed over a two-day inquest in April.

He could also refer the case back to CPS for further consideration.