A woman died after being stabbed and strangled, a police officer told an inquest.

Gillian Oates, 42, was found dead by police officers at her home in Sunnybank Court, Yeadon, after they had been called by worried relatives who had been unable to contact her.

Detective Sergeant Paul Malthouse told the inquest, which opened yesterday at Leeds Coroner's Court, that officers found Mrs Oates lying in her bedroom with multiple injuries shortly before noon on Thursday, January 30.

An officer searched the property and found Mrs Oates's husband David in the couple's bathroom with stab-wound injuries and blood on his face and hands.

Det Sgt Malthouse, of Weetwood Police, told the inquest that when quizzed about what had happened, Oates said: "I stabbed her", but claimed he was acting in self defence and that he was attacked first.

Forensic experts gathered evidence at the scene after the incident and the house, which is near the Yeadon Tarn beauty spot, was sealed off by police. Oates, 48, who runs a tailor's shop on New Road Side in Horsforth, was taken to Leeds General Infirmary and kept under police guard while being treated.

Oates was then arrested and charged with the murder of his wife on February 8. He is currently remanded in custody.

A post-mortem was carried out on the body by Dr Noel Woodford, a forensic path-ologist from the University of Sheffield.

Det Sgt Malthouse said: "Gillian Oates received two stab wounds to the right side of her neck and the back of her neck and stab wounds to her nose, right breast and to each eye."

The pathologist also found a small bone had been broken in her neck which he said had been caused by strangling.

Det Sgt Malthouse said Oates had been drinking heavily since the previous evening and had consumed one and a half bottles of whisky.

He said the couple had no history of domestic violence.

Coroner David Hinchliff adjourned the inquest pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.