A TEENAGER punched his mum’s abusive partner who died when his head hit the ground, an inquest heard.

Malcolm Jamieson, 54, suffered a brain haemorrhage when he was floored by Adam Barrett at the family’s home in Halstead.

Adam, who was 18 at the time, was defending his mum Linda Barrett, who was being assaulted by her partner Mr Jamieson.

Charges were never brought against Adam and an inquest yesterday recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mrs Barrett said: “We had lots of happy times, but when he drank he was a different person altogether – a sort of like Jekyll and Hyde.”