Suicide pact theory in sea death

Mr and Mrs Ainscow may have had a suicide pact

A former postmaster who was jailed after racking up £50,000 debts trying to cope with his daughter's spending, has been found dead in Tenerife.

William Ainscow, 74, and his wife Wendy, 65, who was described as "barely alive", were picked up by a boat from the sea at Los Cristianos on Tuesday.

The couple, who are thought to have moved to the West Midlands, formerly lived in Prenton, Wirral.

According to Spanish newspapers they reportedly attempted a suicide pact.

A post mortem examination revealed Mr Ainscow had taken a drugs overdose.

Mrs Ainscow is now believed to be stable in the psychiatric ward of a Tenerife Hospital.

The couple's debts were said to have been caused by their daughter's spending on designer clothing and expensive meals.

Mr Ainscow, who was jailed in January for 15 months, had his sentence quashed by appeal court judges after three months due to the exceptional circumstances of his case.