Assistant coroner found hanged

The assistant deputy coroner for Staffordshire South has been found hanged at his home at a village near Stafford.

Philip Ilsley, aged 56, was found dead at his Brocton home, on February 17.

He leaves a wife Julia, who is a county court district judge based at Stafford Crown Court, and two daughters Sian and Caroline.

Mr Ilsley worked at South Staffordshire Coroners Office and led inquests when Andrew Haigh or his deputy John James were unavailable.

He also worked as a solicitor at the Hand, Morgan and Owen branch in Rugeley.

Emma Stanley, spokeswoman for Staffordshire Police's Chase division, said: "We can confirm a 56 year-old man was found dead at his home in Brocton on February 17.

"An inquest has been opened into his death, which is not being treated as suspicious."

Mr Ilsley's family and work colleagues are to distressed to speak.

His funeral is set to take place on Thursday, March 1, at St Anne's RC Church, Weeping Cross, at 11.30am.

The family has requested donations be made to Stafford's Katharine House Hospice.