Shed fire suicide man killed partner in Burghfield

Police were alerted by a neighbour who heard an explosion in the garden

A man battered his partner with a hammer before burning himself to death inside their garden shed in Berkshire, an inquest has heard.

Malcolm Stride, 65, was found dead by rescuers after the fire in Kennet Place, Burghfield Common, near Reading, in August 2009.

Rosina Tillyer, 69, was found injured in the house and died in hospital.

Coroner Peter Bedford recorded verdicts of suicide and unlawful killing at the inquest in Newbury.

The court heard from a neighbour of the couple who said he forced entry to their garden after hearing a loud explosion on 22 August last year and found the shed engulfed in flames.

Copper hammer

Mr Stride's burnt body was discovered inside it.

When emergency services arrived they forced their way into the house where they found Ms Tillyer, still alive but badly injured, in the living room.

She had suffered a blow to the head and there was a bloodied engineer's copper hammer next to her, the inquest heard.

She was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital where she died the next morning from severe head injuries.

The inquest heard evidence from doctors who said her injuries were consistent with her being attacked and defending herself.

Mr Stride's injuries were consistent with him pouring petrol over himself and setting himself alight.

The coroner also heard that Ms Tillyer had suffered badly with osteoporosis, while Mr Stride had leukaemia and depression.

They had been together for 19 years and were described as "gentle, intelligent and reserved".

Mr Bedford said he was "satisfied beyond doubt that Malcolm Stride had formulated a plan to end his own life".