'We will never know what truly happened': Family's agony as dad dies two years after being punched
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA dad with a bipolar disorder died in hospital two years after he was punched during a row, an inquest heard. Paul Stewart, 53, never regained consciousness after he was hit by his neighbour's boyfriend who said he acted in self-defence.
Mr Stewart, from Prestwich, suffered the devastating injury on his son's 20th birthday in May 2017 and remained in hospital in a 'minimally conscious state' until his death in June 2019.
Now a coroner, who criticised the evidence of the man who inflicted the injury as well as the police investigation, has recorded an open verdict following an inquest, finding there was not enough evidence to support an unlawful killing conclusion.
Mr Stewart's distraught family described their devastating five-year ordeal and said: "We will never know what truly happened." Paul, a joiner, had not been able to work since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition which led to his admission to a psychiatric hospital under the Mental Health Act on several occasions, the inquest was told. READ MORE: Teenage drug dealer punched and kicked woman in her home before stealing from her His family told Rochdale Coroners' Court the condition made Paul reclusive on some occasions and 'manic and elated' on others.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk
