A POLICE firearms officer shot himself dead in a car that was parked outside the home of the lover he was “besotted” with, an inquest heard.

PC Nicholas Corless, a marksman based at Manchester Airport, committed suicide after fearing his life was falling apart, the inquiry at Whiston Hospital was told.

The 36-year-old officer, who had recently separated from his wife and had a baby son, was discovered dead on the morning of Sunday, February 27, 2011 at Brynn Street, outside the home of Anne Marie Greenall, a policewoman whom he was secretly having an affair with.

Neighbours found his body after hearing loud revving noises coming from the car.

PC Corless, a former soldier and a licensed shotgun holder, killed himself less than 48 hours after being accused of assaulting PC Greenall at her home after the couple had been out drinking in St Helens town centre.

St Helens-based Detective Sergeant Eion Turner presented an extensive report to the inquest about events that led up to the death of the firearms officer.

He said PC Corless and Pc Greenall had rekindled a relationship some ten years after they had met while serving as special constables with the Merseyside force.

The inquest was told Mr Corless was "besotted" with her and had become “obsessed” with the thought she was having a relationship with another officer.

In a note left to Miss Greenall on the passenger seat, PC Corless described how he could not remember assaulting her, before adding how sorry he was and that he could not go on without her.

At the home of PC Corless, who was from Sutton Manor and a former pupil of St Cuthberts secondary school in Parr, “goodbye” letters were found to other members of his family.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Coroner Christopher Sumner told the inquest: “There can be no doubt in my mind that Mr Corless was having an extra marital relationship with Anne Marie Greenall.

“On the 25/26 February there was an incident that involved Mr Corless assaulting Anne Marie Greenall .

“In his mind he thought at best he was going to be referred to Greater Manchester Police’s Professional Standards Department for an internal review - or worse he could face charges and possible imprisonment.

“(It may have) preyed on his mind and prison is not the best place, certainly not for a former police officer.”

Mr Sumner added that in a letter PC Corless had made it clear he intended to take his own life. The cause of death was a shotgun wound to the head.

Mr Sumner sent his condolences to the Corless family and praised his brother Daniel for having the “courage” to listen to evidence at the hearing.

The police report added that he had an “impeccable record” as a firearms officer, though he had been temporarily been removed from carrying weapons at work following the separation from his wife.

In a statement issued after the officer’s death last year, his commanding officer, Superintendent David Hull, said: “Nick was an extremely well liked and respected colleague”.

He had been a member of the airport section of Greater Manchester Police since 2005 and undertook high profile protective firearms duties, believed to include anti-terrorism operations.