CHESHIRE Police dog handler Steven Powell’s body was found at the farm where he walked his beloved dogs, a coroner’s court heard.  

PC Stephen Powell, of Great Sankey, was found dead at Oven Back Farm on Winwick Lane, Croft, on Sunday, September 17.   

The 51-year-old's body was discovered by a farm worker who raised the alarm, and was later identified by a colleague.

At a short hearing at Cheshire Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, area coroner for Cheshire Victoria Davies said she was satisfied PC Powell’s death was ‘unnatural’.

She adjourned the inquest to be resumed in full in the New Year.

PC Powell was the first police officer in the country to train his own pet, Frank, a German Shepherd, to join him at work in 2012.

At the time, the 51-year-old was based at Warrington Police Station on Arpley Street, and was one of just six dog handlers covering Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn.

PC Powell has been a serving officer for 21 years and did work for a German Shepherd rescue charity.

Speaking to a journalist in 2012, PC Powell said: “I know I am biased, but dogs are the best things we have on the force.

“One dog can do the work of 10 officers.

“I have always wanted to be a handler, and I wanted the chance to do that job with my best friend, Frank.”

Cheshire Police Federation chairman, Jamie Thompson, said: “Known as Powelly to everyone, he was someone who left an impression on anyone he met.

“A man with three well-known big passions in life – Manchester City Football Club, his dogs, and policing – he would talk for hours about any of these subjects to anyone.

“As a small force, we do feel like a family, and we have lost a big part of that family this weekend losing Powelly.

“He will be much missed.”

“Colleagues, please remember it is ok to not be ok.

"If you need, you can contact the Police Federation 01606 362350 or Cheshire_PF@cpf.polfed.org.

"Call for BackUp at call4backup.org and Samaritans by calling 116 123 or visiting samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/contact-us."