A police officer who was planning to start a new life in Spain with her husband gassed herself inside her car.

Pc Amanda Oliver, 33, who served with Oxford Police, was discovered early on January 12, this year, by her husband Colin, 65, in a garage near their home in Stoneleigh Drive, Carterton.

Following her death, Oxford Police area commander Ch Supt David McWhirter ordered an independent review into working pressures faced by city officers.

Pc Oliver's death followed the suicide of Pc Michael Harbert, 44, in May 2001, and Vince Ragan, in July 2000.

An inquest into Mrs Oliver's death yesterday concluded stress alone could not be blamed for her death. No note was found.

The inquest was told Insp Karen Trego had served disciplinary papers on Pc Oliver on Friday, January 10, over the alleged assault of a difficult prisoner while she was working in Oxford's custody department.

Pc Oliver had back and ankle trouble and had been taking painkillers. But Insp Trego said: "She always displayed a cheerful and helpful disposition. She had said she was looking forward to leaving Thames Valley Police in a few months and starting a new life with her husband in Spain."

Mr Oliver said his wife had not mentioned the disciplinary action to him.

On January 11, Pc Oliver was told by friends Jayne and Barry Hanson, of Carterton, that she had been wrong to leave her husband to do the shopping alone. When Mr Oliver met his wife in the Beehive pub later, she was crying.

Mrs Oliver then went home alone while her husband waited for a taxi. When he arrived at the front door, she was waiting. Later on, he fell asleep on the settee and when he awoke at 6.15am on January 12, he noticed her car keys had gone.

He found her shortly afterwards, slumped in her car, with a pillow supporting her.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict she took her own life.