Drink killed woman over five times limit

AN inquest has found that a mum whose partner was initially arrested on suspicion of her murder died from alcohol poisoning.

Julie Bennett, 48, was found dead in a sleeping bag on her kitchen floor with marks to her neck at her home in Moor End Road, Mellor, last December.

Police arrested her partner Greg Rayner on suspicion of murder after being called to the house by the ambulance service, but he was later released without charge.

At an inquest last Thursday, pathologist Naomi Carter said the neck marks were not bruises but were caused by blood pooling after Mrs Bennett died from the effects of excessive alcohol.

She discovered an alcohol equivalent to fiveand-a-half times the drink drive limit in Mrs Bennett’s body, which had a ‘depressive effect’ on her system and caused her to stop breathing.

Mrs Bennett’s family described her as ‘ wonderful, highly educated and intelligent woman’ but said drink took a grip of her life.

Mr Rayner told the inquest that on the morning of Friday, December 12, Mrs Bennett, drank half a pint of vodka, topped up with orange juice, while he drank lager.

At around midday, he suggested they go upstairs to sleep it off, and said he woke at about 4pm to discover Mrs Bennett asleep on the kitchen floor.

Mr Rayner went to the pub, but returned and checked on Mrs Bennett at 11pm and 1am. He told the inquest she was breathing but would not wake up. When he went to check on her at around 4.30am the following day he discovered she wasn’t breathing and called an ambulance.

Mrs Bennett’s family queried his evidence, as Mrs Bennett had left a voicemail message for be heard shouting in the background. She later called him back and told him not to come.

Coroner John Pollard said Mr Rayner’s recollection of the events would have been affected by several lagers he drank at home, followed by five or six pints in the pub.

Mr Pollard recorded a verdict of misadventure, saying he was satisfied by the medical evidence that no one else was involved in Mrs Bennett’s death.

Mrs Bennett’s elder daughter, Georgia, said: “She will be very sadly missed by her family.”