A KENT police officer murdered three members of his family with a hammer before hanging himself when his wife told him their marriage was over, an inquest was told today. PC Karl Bluestone's wife, Jill, had told him she had bought a new house and was leaving him within a few days.

Pathologist Dr David Rouse told the hearing that Jill Bluestone had suffered 30 blows to the head with a hammer, injuries to the jaw and blows to her arms consistent with a hammer attack. Children Henry, three, and Chandler, one, also died from blows to the head, he said.

Det Ch Insp Colin Murray, who investigated the murders and suicide of the family at their home in Gravesend in August, told how the couple had lived a violent and high-living, lifestyle in which they accused each other of aggressive behaviour.

Mr Murray said the couple were involved in a series of violent incidents, several involving police intervention. He said PC Bluestone was a husband who had a series of extra-marital affairs, and his wife had an affair with a work colleague, Gary Edwards. They had an extravagant lifestyle of loans arrears and £28,000 on their credit cards.

North Kent Coroner, Roger Hatch, said: "It is apparent this was a volatile and stormy marriage, with a number of arguments and violent incidents which have been detailed in this court. It is quite clear that towards the end of August - probably from the 25th - it was made plain to Karl Bluestone that the marriage was finally over and there was to be a separation. Mrs Bluestone would be moving to her own property in Essex with the children.

"Whilst it cannot explain the tragedy which subsequently took place, it perhaps gives an understanding into the mind of Karl Bluestone on August 28 when the deaths occurred."

He recorded verdicts of unlawful killing on Jill, Henry and Chandler Bluestone, and a suicide verdict on Karl Bluestone