A HOME Office pathologist who reconstructed the death of a former Burnley soldier is convinced that no foul play was involved, an inquest heard.

Forensic expert Dr Charles Wilson was called in after the bloodstained body of Geoffrey Rushton was found at his Barracks Road home, Burnley Coroner's Court was told.

Blood had been smeared on a number of kitchen surfaces, a window had been broken and an alarm box panel had been smashed, the inquest heard.

Dr Wilson said initially that there were concerns over whether there had been a break-in at Mr Rushton's property and he had been assaulted.

But the forensic pathologist was able to conduct a series of tests which established a more likely cause for his death.

Mr Rushton, 60, who suffered from severe cataracts, was also found to have a fractured skull, broken fingers and other assorted bruises and cuts.

Dr Wilson discovered that there was loose carpet, at the top of the stairs at the property.

The pathologist believed he had fallen down the stairs, perhaps damaging the panel en-route, and suffered a serious head injury.

He said: "The fingers had been broken and dislocated, which is what commonly occurs when someone has put their hands out to save themselves and the fingers have been bent back."

Following his fall, Mr Rushton may not have collapsed immediately, according to Dr Wilson.

In some cases people suffering severe head traumas will recover and have a lucid period' where they are able to walk around and function.

But Dr Wilson said that if the brain continued to swell, within a short space of time afterwards, then the injury could cause the sufferer to collapse.

The bloodstains, found on a fridge and microwave, could have occurred as Mr Rushton stumbled around the kitchen, after falling down the stairs, the inquest heard.

The inquest heard from neighbour Jack Cooper that the broken window had been caused by Mr Rushton himself, when he had been forced to break in after losing his keys.

The former soldier was known to have a drink problem, after finding it difficult to readjust to civilian life after more than 20 years in the services, including a posting to Northern Ireland. He was due to receive treatment for severe cataracts at the time of his death.

Mr Cooper said: "He was a good lad on the whole. It was just the drink - it got over him."

His sister Patricia Williamson had urged him to seek medical help for his cataracts - but he had been reluctant to get proper assistance.

She said: "I don't know if it was a kind of macho thing or if he was just wanted to soldier on."

Recording a verdict of accidental death, East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor said he was grateful to Dr Wilson for piecing together the final moments of Mr Rushton's life.