Wife died of overdose

But county coroner Victor Round could not say whether Stella Court intended to kill herself because she had a track record of mental illness and failed suicide attempts.

Mrs Court, 57, was found dead at her home in Kerrycroft Close on June 1, on the day of her husband Andrew's funeral - who had died a month earlier.

Mr Court, 42 was found dead by neighbours at the same address, while Mrs Court, his wife of 10 years, was being detained in police custody on charges of assaulting him.

The court heard there was a history of domestic violence between the couple.

Mr Round said Mr Court was due to appear before Redditch Magistrates as a prosecution witness on April 29 but failed to turn up so Mrs Court was released.

"When he didn't turn up at court he was probably already dead," said Mr Round.

A report by Home Office pathologist Peter Acland said Mr Court, a known alcoholic, died after choking on his own vomit but could not confirm when.

Traces of alcohol and morphine were found in his bloodstream, although Mr Court's GP, John Dow, confirmed the morphine had been prescribed as a painkiller.

Mr Round returned a verdict of accidental death.

"I have no reason to think he wanted to kill himself," he said.

Following news of her husband's death, Mrs Court was admitted to Hill Crest Mental Unit for her own safety.

She had spent periods there before and had been diagnosed with a personality disorder and suffered with alcoholism and an eating disorder.

On this occasion she assaulted a member of staff.

"Some of her conditions had got worse with the ups and downs of her relationship with Andrew Court," said Mr Round.

Mrs Court, a mother of three adult children, discharged herself from the Alexandra Hospital-based unit on May 23. She was found dead eight days later.

Mr Round recorded an open verdict and said: "With a history like that and no suicide note I can never be sure that she did intend to take her own life."