A FATHER-OF-TWO who had suffered back pain for ten years died from an accidental overdose of painkillers.

Tony Patterson, of Ellingstring, near Masham, North Yorkshire, was found dead at his home on March 11.

The 39-year-old, who had undergone several unsuccessful operations, was unable to work and had been prescribed various painkillers.

An inquest in Richmond Town Hall yesterday was told that Mr Patterson and his wife, Elizabeth, had been experiencing marital difficulties.

Police were called to the couple’s home on the night before Mr Patterson died, after an argument.

Mrs Patterson said her husband threw a cup at her, which narrowly missed their seven-year-old daughter.

Police arrived and the situation was resolved without further action. It was decided that Mrs Patterson and the children would stay in the main house, with Mr Patterson agreeing to spend the night in an annexe to the property.

Mrs Patterson told the hearing the violence was out of character.

She said: “He was not a wife-beater at all, he was quite a gentle soul.

“Before it started going wrong, he was my best friend for years.”

His body was discovered the following morning. Police found no evidence that his death was suspicious.

Mrs Patterson said her husband was sometimes careless with the doses of painkillers he would take.

She said he had shown no signs of being suicidal.

Coroner Rob Turnbull recorded a verdict of accidental death.