Burnley murder victim did not inject partner with insulin

Pamela Jane Brown, 43, of Brunshaw Avenue, Burnley, died at Royal Blackburn Hospital on September 7 last year, after being admitted with a suspected insulin overdose.

Her partner James Atkinson, who was battered to death at home in October, was arrested in connection with her death and released on bail.

But the inquest at Burnley Coroner's Court heard that when diabetic Mr Atkinson was killed police had recommended to the Crown Prosecution Service no further action be taken against him.

The hearing was told that Ms Brown, an alcoholic who drank up to eight litres of 7.5 per cent abv Cassini wine every day, had suffered from depression for years and had taken several overdoses.

Ms Brown's children Lee and Krystal Howson told the inquest she had grown frustrated with Mr Atkinson's laziness and was particularly depressed because her father was fighting cancer.

On August 30, when she took the insulin, she had been drinking with Mr Atkinson and was seen to take co-codamol for leg pain.

Detective Constable Martin Hulme told the hearing that during interviews, Mr Atkinson told officers he had seen Ms Brown inject one pen of insulin, but thought it was to make her drowsy.

The inquest was told it was not unusual for the pair to share medication.

DC Hulme said Mr Atkinson claimed he checked on Ms Brown twice.

But he told officers he later found two other empty insulin pens and sought help.

Mr Taylor said he could not be sure that Ms Brown had injected the insulin with the intention of killing herself.

Returning a narrative verdict, he said: “The insulin was her partner James Atkinson’s supply and was readily available.

"Pamela Jane Brown was suffering from depressive illness at the time.”

l Mr Atkinson, 55, and his friend Neil Gilmore were killed in October. Daniel Waddington has been convicted of murdering Mr Atkinson and Mr Gilmore.

Kenneth Howson, Ms Brown’s son, was found guilty of murdering Mr Gilmore.