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Hinckley deaths: Brothers were found dead 'holding hands' Hinckley deaths: Brothers were found dead 'holding hands'
(about 3 hours later)
A woman says she was locked in a house, smothered and stabbed by her husband, who was found dead with their two sons.A woman says she was locked in a house, smothered and stabbed by her husband, who was found dead with their two sons.
David Stokes, 43, and children Adam, 11, and Matthew, five, were discovered in their home on Welwyn Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, on 2 November 2016.David Stokes, 43, and children Adam, 11, and Matthew, five, were discovered in their home on Welwyn Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, on 2 November 2016.
The boys were found dead under a quilt in the same bed and holding hands.The boys were found dead under a quilt in the same bed and holding hands.
An inquest heard that, hours before the deaths, Mr Stokes locked Sally Stokes in the house sparking a stand-off with police.An inquest heard that, hours before the deaths, Mr Stokes locked Sally Stokes in the house sparking a stand-off with police.
Mrs Stokes said she was stabbed before she escaped. Mrs Stokes told Rutland & North Leicestershire Coroner's Court she was stabbed before she managed to escape.
Rutland & North Leicestershire Coroner's Court heard Mr Stokes was found with a single stab wound. Mr Stokes was later found dead from a single stab wound.
A medical cause of death for both boys has not been given but the court was told it was likely they did not die in the position they were found.
Mrs Stokes told the court she and Mr Stokes had been married since 2011 and separated three months before the deaths.Mrs Stokes told the court she and Mr Stokes had been married since 2011 and separated three months before the deaths.
In addition to the "various problems" in the marriage, Mrs Stokes said she discovered Mr Stokes had searched online for escorts and a date rape drug.In addition to the "various problems" in the marriage, Mrs Stokes said she discovered Mr Stokes had searched online for escorts and a date rape drug.
She said she confronted him about this on 1 November, but said the situation at the time was "calm" and she left just after 18:00 GMT. She said she confronted him about this on 1 November, but the situation at the time was "calm" and she left just after 18:00 GMT.
Mrs Stokes told the court she returned at 21:15 GMT and, in the hours that followed, Mr Stokes locked her in the house, hit her on the back of the head with a rolling pin and tried to smother her with a pillow. Mrs Stokes told the court she returned at 21:15 and, in the hours that followed, Mr Stokes locked her in the house, hit her on the back of the head with a rolling pin and tried to smother her with a pillow.
She said she got to the back garden and screamed for help before Mr Stokes hit her head against a wall.She said she got to the back garden and screamed for help before Mr Stokes hit her head against a wall.
The inquest was told police were called and there were regular phone calls between negotiators and Mr Stokes before he stabbed her and she ran out into the street.The inquest was told police were called and there were regular phone calls between negotiators and Mr Stokes before he stabbed her and she ran out into the street.
She said: "I felt a bump in my back, felt the warmth of blood, then I realised he'd stabbed me.She said: "I felt a bump in my back, felt the warmth of blood, then I realised he'd stabbed me.
"The look on his face was like satisfaction. I'll never forget it - as though he'd won.""The look on his face was like satisfaction. I'll never forget it - as though he'd won."
Mrs Stokes was taken to hospital and told the following day about her sons and that Mr Stokes had killed himself.Mrs Stokes was taken to hospital and told the following day about her sons and that Mr Stokes had killed himself.
Finishing her evidence, Mrs Stokes said she felt police acted in the right way during the stand-off.Finishing her evidence, Mrs Stokes said she felt police acted in the right way during the stand-off.
"If police had forced the situation, I wouldn't be here," she said."If police had forced the situation, I wouldn't be here," she said.
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.
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