Case body mother 'made excuses'

Heather Wardle's body was found two days before her son

The father of a disabled man whose decomposed body was found in a suitcase told an inquest he had not been allowed to see his son for nearly four months.

Paul Hughes said his former partner Heather Wardle made "various excuses" why he could not collect James Hughes, 22, from her Worcestershire home.

Ms Wardle, 39, was found hanged in undergrowth days before her son's body was found in April, the inquest heard.

The inquest is taking place in Stourport-on-Severn.

Mr Hughes said he had always maintained regular contact with James, who had a mental age of 18 months, the inquest heard. He suffered from epilepsy and needed regular medication.

I thought something was going on Paul Hughes, father

But he told the inquest that, because Ms Wardle cancelled arrangements he made to collect his son at the last minute, he had not seen James since 28 December 2007.

He said Ms Wardle gave excuses such as their son being away on holiday or in respite care.

"I was annoyed and also I felt guilty that I wanted to see him... he was having such a good time at respite. I shouldn't be selfish," he said.

Mr Hughes arranged to pick up James from Loxley Close, Redditch, on 18 April, but said when he arrived neither he nor Ms Wardle were there.

He told the inquest that Ms Wardle's partner Brian Kirby told him he was under the impression James was to be collected by his father, and he did not know where he was.

Often dropped

"I thought something was going on," Mr Hughes told the court.

Mr Kirby called police the next day and a massive search for James and his mother was launched.

Mr Hughes, who split up with Ms Wardle early in James' life, described him as a "kind, happy guy" who particularly enjoyed watching television.

Mr Hughes said his son could walk unaided, but often dropped to the floor.

James' half-brother, Daniel Kirby, also gave evidence to the inquest, saying he could not remember exactly when he had last seen him, but that it was "probably" in December last year.

'Different excuse'

The warehouse worker also told the Deputy Coroner for Worcestershire, Margaret Barnard, he did not know how James' body came to be in the suitcase.

The 18-year-old, who lived with James and his parents, was advised by the coroner at the start of his testimony that he did not have to answer questions which might incriminate him.

The teenager told the inquest that he had not seen any suitcases at the family home.

Daniel Kirby said he had asked his mother about James' whereabouts on several occasions, but that he too had been given excuses.

"She used to tell me that he was on respite or at James' dad's when I used to ask about him.

"It would always be a different excuse every time I asked her."

The witness said he was hardly ever at home during the period in question and could not remember details of last Christmas.

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The inquest heard from the father of James Hughes