A man 'murdered' his former partner a short time after she put on Facebook that she was in a relationship with another man – before taking his own life, an inquest has heard.

Regan Tierney was killed by her ex-boyfriend Daniel Patten at her home on Manchester Road, Walkden, in June 2019.

An inquest into the death of the 27-year-old is taking place at the Bolton Coroners Court.

Interested parties at the case, which is to be determined by a jury, include Greater Manchester Police, Salford Council and the Northern Care Alliance.

The inquest heard from Shannon Tierney, the sister of Regan, who spoke of her heartbreak at the loss and revealed a long history of disturbing incidents in her relationship with Patten.

She wore a T-shirt to court with a picture of Regan printed on it.

In a statement read out by Coroner Peter Sigee, she stated: “My sister was murdered 5 June 2019 at her home address on Manchester Road, Walkden."

She told the hearing: "I would be better off without a hand or leg than without my sister.

“It is like I am missing a limb, I am missing my best friend.

 “She was not listened to, it was fatal.”

The inquest was told  her sister had been in an “on and off” relationship with Mr Patten and they had two children together.

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The court heard he had received a suspended sentence for an attack on her.

Shannon said this had taken place following a dispute where she wanted to go home and he did not.

She said: “He got in her face and punched her.

“She fell to the floor and Daniel continued to punch and stamp on her.”

The inquest heard she had choked on her blood during this.

Shannon said: “After the suspended sentence there was a lot of mental abuse.

“He would send her messages telling her she was fat, she was horrible and no other man would want her.”

She said in June 2019 her sister had updated her Facebook to show she was in a relationship with a new man and she told Daniel when he asked as she “did not want to lie to him.”

On the day of her sister’s death, Daniel had sent her a message to ask if she was up which she did not see.

She then got a message saying that he had “phoned Grandad to say he had killed Regan.”

Shannon went to the property and later found they had both died.

The inquest, before Coroner Peter Sigee, continues.