A MAN upset after being suspected of drink driving took his own life when he was released from police custody, an inquest heard.

Christopher Stephenson, 34, was found in Errington Wood, New Marske, by a member of Cleveland Search and Rescue team when he failed to return home following the arrest.

The hearing was told Mr Stephenson had crashed his car into a number of stationary vehicles parked in Thames Road, Redcar, when he was on his way to buy some cigarettes following a night out on Sunday, August 22.

He was released at lunchtime the following day but did not return to his home in Welland Road, Redcar.

In a statement read out at Teesside Coroners' Court, his partner, Janet Whyman, said Mr Stephenson would have been devastated to have been caught drink-driving.

She said he had taken his daughter home to Andover, following her annual visit, the day before he was arrested.

His body was found hanging by his belt in woodland on August 24, following a search involving family and friends, Cleveland police and the search and rescue team.

Pathologist Jennifer Hamilton said the cause of death was pressure on the neck due to hanging.

Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield recorded that Mr Stephenson had killed himself.