A MAN found hanging on the stairs at his home may have been trying to blackmail his wife into returning to him, an inquest heard.

Andrew Fallon's wife had twice returned to him after he had slashed his wrists and taken an overdose, the hearing was told.

Mr Fallon, 41, was found dead hanging from a rope tied around the stair railings at his home in Northgate, Whitworth. His feet were on the floor and his knees were bent, East Lancashire Coroner, David Smith, was told. Recording an open verdict, Mr Smith said that in view of what had happened before and the position in which he was found he could not be sure that it was not another cry for help or attempt to blackmail his wife to return to him again.

Mrs June Fallon of the same address said they were married in 1981 and had four children.

After she left him in June, 1996, Mr Fallon slit his wrists and on another occasion after she left he took an overdose.

He took a large number of tablets but then telephoned an aunt and help arrived in time. Earlier this year they went on a holiday together to Barbados but things didn't improve between them and she left left again on May 18.

Mr Fallon had asked her sisters if she would go back to him.

When he was found he had left a note saying "I love you June'', she said.

Mr Fallon was found by his sisters Paula of Bridge Street, Whitworth, and Dawn, of Rochdale Road, Britannia, Bacup, on Friday, July 16.

Mr Smith commented: "It must have been awful for his sisters to find him like that and it must have been awful for Mrs Fallon because it may have been blackmail to get her back.''

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