An inquest has heard how a man accused of rape hanged himself and left a note to his wife.

Eric Patrick Quinn was found in his flat in the Ellesmere Apartments in Empress Drive, Douglas on October 3 last year.

Today, an inquest heard he had been upset about the breakdown of his marriage and his arrest and rang family members to tell them he was going to kill himself.

The hearing was told Mr Quinn had been accused of rape by a woman he met in the Mitre Hotel in Ramsey less the three weeks before his death.

The 52 year old builder had given no indication about his emotional state, and there was no indication he intended to harm himself after he was arrested.

But his sister-in-law raised the alarm after he rang her and his teenage son threatening to take his own life.

Police officers were called to his home, only to discover his body hanging from a door and a note addressed to his wife.

Coroner of inquests Michael Moyle said the case was a sad one and Mr Quinn’s death should not be taken as an admission of guilt.

He recorded a verdict of suicide.

(Picture: Douglas courthouse, where the inquest was held).