A FAMILY is mourning their second loss in tragic circumstances in five years.

Phillip Hoban, 38, whose brother, Paul, a university gardener, was killed five years ago, was found hanged at a friend's home on Tuesday.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

An inquest into Mr Hoban's death was opened and adjourned at the North Durham coroner's office in Crook yesterday.

Police said the tragedy occurred at a friend's house in Moor Crescent, Gilesgate, Durham. Mr Hoban lived in Douglas Villas, off Claypath.

In October 1998, one of Mr Hoban's elder brothers, Paul, a gardener at Durham University, suffered a fractured skull after he became caught up in violence in the car park of the Sportsman's Arms pub, in the Belmont area of Durham.

Two groups, one from Belmont and the other from Sherburn Village, were watching a televised football match.

Good-natured banter escalated into a dispute and trouble spilled into the car park.

Paul Hoban was hit over the head with a crutch, but managed to get home.

However, the 36-year-old was found dead the following day by his other brother, Andrew.

Steven Clark, 26, of Peel House, Front Street, Sherburn Village, was jailed for four years for manslaughter.

It was alleged by the prosecution that Clark struck the fatal blow.

He claimed he had not used the crutch, but he admitted hitting Mr Hoban with a wheel brace after returning to the scene of the disturbance.

Paul Hoban was the father of a five-year-old boy.

Phillip was the youngest of four brothers and two sisters. One brother is believed to work as a firefighter, while the other works for British Gas.

Yesterday, a friend of Phill-ip said: "Paul and Phillip were both lovely. They were great. The family were devastated over Paul's death, and now this. I just can't believe it."

Friends are asked to meet for a Requiem Mass at St Joseph's RC Church, Gilesgate, on Tuesday, at 11am.

The family have asked that rather than giving flowers, donations be made to The Samaritans.