AN inquest has been told of the tragic death of a mother who had three young children.

Nicola Jane Roberts, who was 39 and from Ingleby Barwick, was found dead by her sometime partner, Paul Wratten, in March last year.

The inquest at Teesside Magistrates Court heard that Mrs Roberts, who lived alone at The Orchard in Ingleby Barwick, was an alcoholic but cared hugely for her children and had been a respected care professional.

In the weeks before her death, Mrs Roberts had been very ill and was admitted to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton with alcoholic hepatitis – and it was found she had some alcohol related liver disease.

On the day of her death she called Mr Wratten, of Petworth Crescent, Ingleby Barwick, saying she was unwell asking for help. Mr Wratten called round in a taxi and found she had collapsed.

He and the taxi driver had to carry her from her house, into the cab and then into his own house. He then went out.

In a written statement, Mr Wratten said: "I returned to my house late afternoon or early evening. Later that evening Nicola asked me for a cuddle. I lay next to her and fell asleep. I awoke a couple of hours later, around 10pm, to find Nicola's body was cold and stiff. I shook Nicola's body, trying to rouse her, but to no effect."

Mr Wratten said he attempted CPR to resuscitate her, before an ambulance and police arrived and the professionals took over.

Friend and neighbour Caroline Hewitt said Mrs Roberts' drinking seemed to increase when she met her new partner in February, 2014.

The inquest will continue on Thursday (Sept 1).