Nathan Tomlinson

The family of a student whose body remained undiscovered for eight weeks after he disappeared are demanding answers after an inquest heard fundamental police work was not done.

Nathan Tomlinson, 21, from Brinnington, Stockport, was last seen in heavy snow following a Christmas party with pals in Manchester. The trainee sports teacher’s body was found in the River Irwell nearly two months later.

Concluding a two-day inquest, Stockport Coroner John Pollard said police were slow off the mark and pledged to write to Chief Constable Peter Fahy with his concerns.

The inquest heard that shortly before he left the city-centre Mitre Bar, where friends last saw him, Nathan was slapped by an unknown woman – who was never traced. And CCTV from the Old Pint Pot pub, on Adelphi Street, Salford, near to where Nathan was found was never viewed. He had texted his family saying he was pacing himself and was drinking shandy

Nathan’s body was pulled from the River Irwell, near the Adelphi Bridge, on February 10 last year after it was spotted by a passer-by.

Nathan's mother also believes his death was suspicious as his coat, phone, passport and wallet were missing.