Jonathan Burns comitted suicide

Jonathan Burns

An inquest has heard that Jonathan Burns, 33, who was a councillor for North Middleton for almost seven years, killed himself days after he was arrested and bailed over an alleged sexual assault.

Mr Burns was found hanged in the kitchen of Pride Media Association, his company premises, on 23 January 2015.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/93833/former-middleton-councillor-jonathan-burns-dies

A colleague discovered his body at 8.30am and had to break the news of his death to his mother, Denise Blackshaw, 63, when she walked to the address having felt ‘anxious for no reason’ throughout the night.

The inquest heard that officers who attended Prime Media Association retrieved eight hand-written letters intended for various members of his family and friends.

The inquest, at Heywood Coroners Court, heard that Mr Burns had keen interests in archaeology and reptiles in his teens and had grown into a hard-working man after leaving school at 16.

After getting into local radio and going on to set up his own business, he embarked on politics and went on to become a councillor, where he represented North Middleton until last year.

During his time as a councillor, he served as the chairman of the Middleton Township Planning sub-committee and was vice-chairman of Middleton Township. He also helped to set up the Middleton Crisis Support Project charity.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/93866/jonathan-burns-remembered-by-fellow-north-middleton-councillors

Mr Burns lived with his mother for his whole life, she described him as “very private” and a man who “wouldn’t discuss his personal matters”.

Coroner Simon Nelson recorded a conclusion of suicide.