Police who were called to concerns for the welfare of a man who took his own life did not have the full information about him due to a duplication of records, an inquest has heard.

Barry Gillard was found dead at his home on Balshaw Close in Deane in October last year.

The previous day his mother had called police after he had left her house after giving her money and telling her to give it to his children if he did not come back, Bolton Coroners' Court heard.

Police twice visited his property but were unable to gain access as they did not have the information which would have enabled them to force the door open.

An inquest into the death of the 43-year-old concluded on Thursday.

In September, the court heard notes were found on his kitchen counter where he expressed a "desire to end his life".

Pathologist Dr Andrew Coates gave Mr Gillard's cause of death as heroin toxicity.

On Thursday, the court was told housing officers entered the property on October 4, 2022, the day after he was reported missing, and found him dead.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers had visited on October 3 and again on the morning he was found.

The inquest was told there were two files relating to Mr Gillard but only one was attached to his missing person profile.

Detective Chief Inspector Carl Gilbert said the programme had been changed as two systems were merged in 2019 and duplicate profiles were created.

He said: “One had a photograph and one did not.

“The one with the photograph was the one that was attached to the missing person record.

“The record with the photograph was not the one which has most of his history with GMP.”

The court heard this included information relating to previous self harm attempts.

The officer said a new recording system was being brought in over the next 18 months to replace the current one and a manual team was currently working to get rid of duplicates.

Coroner Peter Sigee recorded a conclusion that Mr Gillard had intended to take his own life.

He said: “Despite the reasonable inquiries, the officers had been unable to locate Mr Gillar before he was found deceased.

“I am satisfied that the appropriate conclusion is that Mr Gillard died by suicide.

“I was concerned about the evidence I heard in relation to the computer system used by GMP and the duplication of records.

“In relation to Mr Gillard, officers did not have all of the information held by GMP.

“But in relation to the specific circumstances of Mr Gillard’s death, that did not affect the outcome.

“I am satisficed the risk is known and identified by GMP.”

Leon Harrison, brother of Mr Gillard, said after the inquest: “As a family we are happy everything has concluded and he can rest in peace.”