- His former wife
- gave evidence at the inquest.
- They had been married for twelve years,
- separating in 1995,
- although they still saw each other
- on a regular basis.
- During the first half of their marriage
- he suffered a brain haemorrhage,
- leaving him paralysed down one side.
- She had last seen him when he called to see her
- at work.
- He wanted help to go through his benefit papers.
- He was worried he was going to be sent back to work.
- His doctor made a statement,
- said they had spoken on the phone
- two weeks before he was due to attend
- an appeal hearing.
- He had been upset
- because his benefits were being stopped
- after an annual assessment.
- His neighbour
- was sat in his front room
- watching the television
- when he heard a loud bang.
- He went outide and saw the man, his neighbour,
- slumped in a chair.
- He also saw there was a gun on the floor.
- He ran inside and phoned 999.
- ‘Had he attended the appeal
- he may have been successful’
- the coroner said.
- ‘It is evident that the matter
- was concerning him greatly.’
[Gazette and Herald, 17/04/2013, Benefits withdrawal led to man’s suicide]