Convicted paedophile hanged himself at home

A convicted paedophile hanged himself at home in Nelson, an inquest has heard.
Burnley Magistrates' CourtBurnley Magistrates' Court
Burnley Magistrates' Court

Patrick Blackie (32) was found hanging from a stairwell at his home in Smith Street on January 5th after his probation officer had made several failed attempts to contact him.

An inquest at Burnley Coroner's Court heard how Mr Blackie had left a note indicating that he was depressed. He had also written goodbye and sorry in the note.

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Mr Blackie was jailed in 2010 for carrying out a sexual act in front of a boy and offences involving child abuse images, and jailed again the following year after being convicted of abducting two children from Burnley.

His probation officer Mr Keith Hopewell said in a statement that Mr Blackie had been supervised since December, 2012, and from last August he had been seen twice a week by probation as well as by visits from the police.

Mr Hopewell revealed that a warning letter had been issued to Mr Blackie about his behaviour. The probation officer, who visited him on December 30th, said that Mr Blackie had seemed grateful that he was not being recalled to prison but upset.

There had been no response from Mr Blackie on further visits on January 1st and 3rd, and the alarm was raised.

East Lancashire Coroner Mr Richard Taylor recorded a conclusion of suicide.