VERDICTS of unlawful killing and suicide were recorded at the inquests of a woman found stabbed and beaten next to the hanged body of her partner.

Maidstone coroner Roger Sykes heard evidence on Friday about the deaths of Jeanette Wallace and convicted murderer Derek Ord.

Ms Wallace, 58, a divorced mother-of-two, was found dead at her home in Mynn Crescent, Bearsted, Maidstone, on Monday, March 13, 2006.

The medical receptionist was found alongside Ord, who was given a life sentence for the double killing of his estranged wife and mother-in-law in Sandhurst, near Tunbridge Wells, on Christmas Eve 1986.

Sandhurst School PTA member Joan Ord, 39, and Dorothy Abnett, 75, were both stabbed to death at Mrs Abnett’s home in The Rope Walk.

Ord, 57, of Windlesham Gardens, Hove, was released from prison in May 2003 and was being supervised by Sussex Probation while on licence.

Mr Sykes said: "Jeanette Wallace received blows to the head and stab wounds to her chest and neck inflicted with the intent to kill her.

"I also have no doubt that Derek Ord took his own life at some time between 12.15am and 9am on March 13, at Mynn Crescent.

"These were two interlocked, but separate tragic deaths, regardless of the circumstances."

Mr Sykes also expressed concerns about the national system of communication between the Probation Service and police forces and believed there had been an over-reliance by the Sussex probation service on a self-reporting system, which involved Ord reporting his personal circumstances to his care worker.

Speaking after the inquest, Nick Smart, assistant chief officer for the Sussex Probation Area, said the concerns expressed by the coroner had already been addressed.