AN OPEN verdict has been recorded on a stable hand who was found hanging in Newmarket.Greater Suffolk Coroner Dr Peter Dean said that too many questions remained unanswered to allow any other conclusion to be reached on the death of Justin Dillon.

AN OPEN verdict has been recorded on a stable hand who was found hanging in Newmarket.

Greater Suffolk Coroner Dr Peter Dean said that too many questions remained unanswered to allow any other conclusion to be reached on the death of Justin Dillon.

The body of the 24-year-old was found on May 22 after a search of the area around the Charnwood Stables in Hamilton Road where he both lived and worked.

Mr Dillon had started working in the racing industry in his native Ireland before moving first to Lancashire and then Newmarket to further his career.

The inquest at Shire Hall, Bury St Edmunds, was told that he was reported missing to the police after failing to turn up for work or answer his mobile phone for three days.

Ronald Nairn, a volunteer with Suffolk Lowland Search and Rescue, found the body of Mr Dillon in a hedge close to the stables. A cord around his neck was attached to a tree branch.

A post mortem examination at the West Suffolk Hospital showed that death was due to hanging.

Leah Flynn, a friend of Mr Dillon said in a statement read to the inquest: "At no time during the months that I had known Justin did he ever say anything about committing suicide".

She added: "He was very open with me and we would be able to talk over any problems he was having".

The hearing was told that gardener at Charnwood Stables, David Crick, was certain that if the body had been where it was found two days earlier he would have seen it, but he had not.

The Coroner said that what appeared to be the start of a letter written by Mr Dillon had been found but it did not amount to a suicide note.

Dr Dean said: "There really are unanswered questions that run through the heart of those dates and the events leading to the death itself".