A man who was jailed after a 12-hour standoff with police on a roof in the borough died in prison, an inquest opening has heard.

Stephen Wallwork was sent to prison in June 2022 after the incident, which happened on May 12, 2021.

He ran from police who had come to his mother's house in Kearsley to return him to jail.

Mr Wallwork, who was wielding an axe during the incident, had been on licence for a robbery conviction. 

He broke into a house and smashed his way through tiles onto a woman's roof on Maple Close, remaining atop houses and throwing tiles at police vehicles for the next 12 hours. 

He eventually climbed down and gave himself up. 

On July 10 this year, he died at HMP Forest Bank aged 34. 

The opening into his inquest was held at Bolton Coroners' Court on July 19 this year. 

Police Coroners Officer Julie Ann Hyde said: "Mr Wallwork arrived at HMP Forest Bank on July 9 this year. 

"He was charged with a further offence at Wigan Magistrates' Court, hence being remanded to Forest Bank." 

The following morning at just after 8am, prison workers found him "unresponsive on his bed".

He was pronounced dead at 8.40am. 

Pathologist Dr Philip Lumb of Royal Oldham Hospital said his cause of death was "awaiting further investigation". 

Coroner Prof Dr Alan P Walsh ordered for statements from his GP, the prison authorities and GMP by September 6 this year. 

He did not list a date for the full hearing, given the cause of death given, but said he would review it by July 26.