Mystery surrounds death of dad whose partner was cleared of killing him

It cannot be determined if a stab wound which killed a much-loved dad was self-inflicted, a coroner has ruled.

Paul Dickson, 49, was found with a stab wound to his chest outside the home he shared with partner Joleen Hulme in Bolton , shortly after Christmas in 2018.

He almost died at the scene, but medics managed to resuscitate him, and he was taken to hospital, where he appeared to be improving.

However, his condition then suddenly deteriorated and he 'unexpectedly' died, 12 days after the incident, of complications from his injury.

Ms Hulme, now 41, was later charged with his murder . However, in November 2020, she was acquitted by a jury following a three-week trial at Manchester Crown Court .

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She claimed Mr Dickson had 'thumped