AN out-of-work actor, whose death sparked a ten-month murder inquiry, stabbed himself to death, an inquest heard yesterday.

Jobless Stephen Milburn used a kitchen knife to stab himself twice in the chest at his home in The Grove, Coxhoe, near Durham City.

The body of the 43-year-old divorcee was found on the kitchen floor on November 14 2004. It is thought the body could have lain there for up to three weeks.

Police launched an inquiry into the death involving more than 30 officers, while forensic teams spent a total of 300 hours examining Mr Milburn's house.

However, after two post mortem examinations, a ten-month investigation and a review of the case in August last year, officers said they were satisfied that Mr Milburn had taken his own life.

Speaking outside Chester-le-Street Magistrates' Court after yesterday's inquest, Detective Superintendent Andy Reddick said: "An extensive police investigation was undertaken and at the end of that, I am satisfied that we have found no evidence to suggest that anyone else was involved in Mr Milburn's death."

In the early days of the inquiry, it emerged that the father-of-two had been suffering harassment.

Officers took the unusual step of issuing a public statement to refute unfounded rumours that the loner, whose acting credits included Byker Grove and Our Friends In The North, had been a paedophile.

However, they confirmed that he had used a toy gun to threaten a youth at his previous home in Bowburn, County Durham, and spent several months in prison on remand following a similar incident with a neighbour at his home in Coxhoe.

The case was dropped before it went to court and Mr Milburn, who had a history of depression and was described by police as a heavy drinker, was released from prison in September - a matter of weeks before his death.

Det Supt Reddick said: "He lived a slightly unconventional lifestyle. He was described by a number of people as an unusual member of the community and there were some reports both of him being harassed and of him harassing other people in the area."

Yesterday's inquest heard evidence from Home Office pathologist Dr Nigel Cooper, who carried out the second post mortem examination of Mr Milburn. He said: "There were two main stab wounds and a little nick to the chest, which is consistent with self-inflicted wounds.

"There were no injuries to suggest he was defending himself and nothing to suggest he had been assaulted."

North Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle recorded a verdict that Mr Milburn took his own life