'Abusive' ex tracked down former partner months before she was found dead

A "violent" ex tracked down his former partner after she escaped his alleged abuse - just months before she was found dead. Jessica Laverack, known as Jessie, moved around 60 miles away from her home to escape Patrick Walsh, an inquest into her death has heard.

Mr Walsh allegedly abused Jessie, and on one occasion is said to have grabbed her by the throat, Hull Live reports. Yet Mr Walsh was able to track her down - and is said to have sent her a letter before turning up at her home unannounced.

Jessie, who moved across Yorkshire from Rotherham to Beverley in 2017, was described as a "fiancé" by Mr Walsh - who told the court the pair "very much loved each other" the day before she died. She was found dead at her home on February 2, 2018, aged 34.

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Mr Walsh told Hull Coroner's Court on Friday: "We were talking about moving away from everyone, starting afresh." He told the inquest his last conversation with Jessie was on February 1, 2018 and that she "seemed quite cheerful" and was looking forward to the weekend and seeing Mr Walsh and his son.

The inquest heard on Friday how police had charged Mr Walsh with assaulting Jessie, but the case was dropped at court when she withdrew the claim. Mr Walsh, who denies abusing Jessie, has been granted "interested persons" status at the inquest, which means he is able to question any witnesses who give evidence.

The inquest heard how Jessie moved to Beverley in the summer of 2017 to escape Mr Walsh, who allegedly abused her and on one occasion is said to have grabbed her by the throat. Both offences he denies.

Jessie's death was subject to a domestic