A 56-year old Alsager woman who turned to alcohol to cure persistant sleep problems, died as a result of an accident, last Christmas Eve.

Cheshire Coroner Nicholas Rheinburg recorded the verdict at an inquest into the death of Joan Williams at Crewe on Wednesday.

Medical reports showed Mrs Williams died of inhaling vomit under the influence of alcohol while her husband, John, desperately tried to revive her.

He altered emergency services to their home in Kensington Court at around 6.45am.

Mr Williams, an engineer, told the inquest of her problems.

"She had always been a light sleeper and it hadn't been a problem when we first married but as time went by, it did become one. She would start drinking at about 8pm and then continue until about 10pm.

"If I tried to take the drink off her, she would become violent. She was in such a rage on one occasion, she put her forearm through the front door, it was uncontrollable.

As this behaviour became more frequent, Mr Williams, felt forced to restrain his wife over the last two years.

"It got so uncontrollable, I had to lie her down and roll her up in a duvet cover until she calmed down.

"After 20 minutes or so she became exhausted or relaxed."

Mr Williams described events during the evening prior to his wife's death.

"I had gone Christmas shopping and Joan was visiting her mother. She came back at around 8pm, had a can of beer and seemed to be in a good mood.

"At around 10.20pm, Joan said it was time we went to bed so I went for a shower and she followed me up into the bathroom and stayed until I finished.

"With Joan's problems, I was sleeping in the front bedroom and while I was reading, at around 12am, Joan burst in demanding I combed her hair and complaining I hadn't had a shower.

"She had this thing about combing her hair. I rolled her up inside of a duvet and at around 12.30am, she relaxed again.

"I went back to sleep when at around 3am she woke me up again with the same problem and got violent.

"I rolled her up again in the duvet and she relaxed but this time, she seemed quieter. I couldn't feel a pulse so I started giving her mouth to mouth resuscitation.

"I panicked and kept giving her mouth to mouth. Eventually her lips turned black and her forehead cold and at that point I phoned emergency services.

Mr Rheinburg asked him if he had been angry.

"No I was just trying to restrain her," he replied.

Acting DI Bob Vass of Congleton Police Station who attended the scene said Mrs Williams was found on the landing, lying on her back.

"There were no signs of physical injuries or a struggle," he said.

"I am confident that the account of Mr Williams is correct and it has been totally the same all the way through."

Dr Alison Armour, a pathologist at Macclesfield General Hospital, found no signs of suffocation in the autopsy.

Her statement read: "On balance, my opinion in the absence of physical injures or signs of suffocation, Mrs Williams died from inhalation of stomach contents.

Mr Rheinburg concluded: "I have been impressed with the manner of Mr Williams as have the authorities and he appears to have told the whole and complete truth.

"He did not act motivated by anger and wanted to prevent injury."

BY TOBY ROBINSON