A NESTON man with a history of depression hanged himself hours after visiting his GP, an inquest heard.

Raymond Williams, 58, had been treated for mental health problems since 1991 and had previously made attempts to end his life, although he claimed they had been ‘just for attention’.

The inquest, held at Chester and Ellesmere Port Magistrates Court on Monday, heard how Mr Williams, a gardener, had been taking medication for his depression for 20 years on and off.

In the summer of 2004, during a period of work-related stress, he tried to take his life several times, by swallowing about 50 painkillers with half a bottle of wine, trying to throw himself down the stairs and trying to jump out of a window.

He later denied these were suicide attempts, saying he was ashamed and that he wouldn’t do it again.

Over the next four years, he returned to work and appeared to be getting on with his life, and stopping taking antidepressants.

But following the break-up of a relationship in 2008, Mr Williams, who had also worked as a maintenance engineer at Vauxhall in Ellesmere Port, returned to his doctor and resumed taking medication.

His doctor suggested he get a dog, so he bought a springer spaniel, which he enjoyed taking out for frequent walks.

By October last year his mother and brother were concerned he was worrying more than usual, and on October 30, encouraged him to see the doctor again.

They had noticed his hands were shaking and according to his mother, he was worried about the clocks going back.

The next morning Mr Williams visited his GP who did not notice anything different about his attitude, and told him to return in two-three weeks.

After his appointment he went to his mother’s flat and told her he would pick her up from the bus stop later that day as usual, and that if he did not turn up she should walk.

He was not waiting at the bus stop so his mother walked to his house in Dunraven Road, Neston, where she found him slumped at the bottom of the stairs.

She ran to a neighbours’ house for help and, on closer inspection, they discovered he had hung himself.

Toxicology reports showed there was no evidence of drugs or alcohol in Mr Williams’s system and recording a verdict of suicide, assistant deputy coroner of Cheshire Michael Wallbank said: “We may never know the reasons why he killed himself but I’m satisfied the death occurred as a deliberate act by the deceased and that he intended the consequence would be death.”