TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘loving family man’ who died in his sleep aged 33.

Shaune Dunkley’s partner Coral Mears has described finding him dead in bed at their home in Chapelhay Heights, Weymouth, after he had been feeling unwell the night before.

Shaune had been in hospital a week before with stomach pains but died of bronchial pneumonia after suffering from a cough for several weeks, the family said.

His family have been left devastated by his death five years after his twin brother Philip also died in his sleep.

Miss Mears said Shaune, formerly of Beverley Road, Littlemoor, Weymouth, had been left ‘broken hearted’ after they lost custody of their four children this year.

And Shaune died four days after the couple were refused access to see one of their children on her birthday.

Miss Mears said social services had told them they took the children due to neglect but said: “Shaune was a family man and would do anything for his kids.

“He used to take them to Teddy Bear Woods and they would all come back covered in mud.

“He would get them laughing and he was very protective of them.

“He missed seeing them and used to sit there crying and saying they belonged at home with us.”

Shaune was on anti-psychotic medication and anti-depressants but had recently been trying to regain his HGV licence.

Miss Mears added: “He was turning his life around and everybody was saying how much healthier he looked.

“People noticed the difference.

“He was finally getting what he wanted and then this happens.”

Miss Mears has been staying with her sister ahead of the funeral, which is being held at Weymouth Crematorium today.

She described the morning when she found Shaune, saying: “I went to wake him up and I thought ‘he’s dead’ and then I thought ‘no not my Shaune’.

“I turned around to run to the phone but my legs buckled under me. I just knew it was too late.”

Shaune also leaves behind his parents Jacquie and Ian, of Buddleia Close, and siblings Lee, Paula, Ben and Tracey.

His twin brother Philip died in 2005 with the coroner recording a verdict of accidental death from heroin poisoning His mum said: “This is my twins.

“I’m devastated. We all are – all his brothers and sisters and his dad. We just can’t believe it. He was a loving son who loved his children and we all sadly miss him.

“He will be in our thoughts and our hearts always.”