A MAN who shot a police officer before turning the gun on himself was "terrified" of the police and authority figures, an inquest heard.

Stephen Hensby, 55, was also "obsessed with the fear of losing his home" after a row with his local council.

Hensby, known locally as "Crustyman", sparked a 16-hour armed stand-off with police at his home in Hardman Avenue, Rawtenstall, after the shooting in July last year.

At the inquest into his death, friend Jean Neild, who lived just two doors away from him, said: "He was really worrying and had been behaving unusually.

"There had been problems over his benefits and he had been told that he could lose his home.

"He was also really frightened of the police but I don't know why that was.

"And he once told me he would rather burn down his house than lose it."

The siege began on July 4 last year after Hensby was visited by two police officers, PC David Lomas and PC Lukman Mulla.

They were investigating a complaint of harassment against Hensby.

The officers arrived at his home but he refused to let them in.

After PC Lomas attempted to force his way inside, he was confronted by Hensby, who was brandishing a shotgun.

The officer was shot in the shoulder and staggered outside before collapsing.

Hensby then aimed several more shots from a first floor window and began to throw petrol bombs onto outbuildings at the rear of his property.

Armed officers and negotiators arrived at the scene within 40 minutes.

Superintendent Neil Smith, the tactical commander on the day, said officers attempted to make contact with Hensby but were unable to do so.

At about 6am the following morning, a police dog which was carrying video equipment was sent into the property and broadcast pictures back to officers which showed it was safe to enter.

Officers found Hensby lying dead in a front bedroom alongside his pet Rottweiler.

Mr Smith said police found nine shotgun cartridges in the house along with 70 live rounds and 46 petrol bombs.

No sound had been heard from the house since around 6pm the previous night. It is thought Hensby died at about that time.

Forensic pathologist Naomi Carter completed a post-mortem examination at Burnley General Hospital and found that Hensby died of a single shotgun wound to the head.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Coroner Richard Taylor said: "I do not believe that when Stephen Hensby woke up on the morning of July 4 he intended to take his own life but by his actions on that day, he precipitated a chain of events that led to that outcome.

"It appears to me that the fear of losing his home had become an obsession.

"I have no doubt that he deliberately shot PC Lomas before he began indiscriminately shooting and throwing petrol bombs.

"Maybe he believed that PC Lomas was seriously injured or even dead and he was not able to face the consequences."

Earlier this year PCs Lomas, Mulla and seven colleagues received the Chief Constable's commendation for outstanding bravery for their efforts during the siege.