A CORONER recorded a verdict of suicide after a Crabbs Cross man was found hanging from a rafter in his garage on Christmas Eve.

Patrick Griffin, a decorator who lived in Clent Avenue, was found dead by his wife, Emma, about an hour after she had seen him last.

Worcestershire Coroner Victor Round said 41-year-old Mr Griffin had been involved in an argument with Mrs Griffin after returning from the pub at about 4.30pm.

The court heard Mrs Griffin left her husband to "cool down" while she went to her aunt's house. There she received a number of calls from him and returned home at 7.10pm, when she found him dead.

The inquest was told Mr Griffin had threatened to take his life on previous occasions but there was no record of him acting on his words.

Mr Round told the court that Mr Griffin was attempting to reduce his alcohol intake as he knew it exaggerated his moods.

But he had drunk five or six pints that day.

Mr Round said Mr Griffin left an "ambiguous but affectionate" voicemail message which he said might have been part of a suicide note.