A “great partner and dad” took his own life, an inquest has heard.

Martin Young, of Garth Terrace, Clifton, was found hanged at his home on May 18, 2010, by his partner, an inquest at New Earswick Folk Hall heard.

In a statement read to the inquest, Katy Robinson said she had left the house for work at about 8.30am, and found Mr Young when she returned at about 3.30pm.

In her statement she said she had not thought Mr Young would kill himself, but she was not totally unprepared, “as he had made suicidal threats” in the past.

The inquest heard that Mr Young, 49, was an unemployed paint sprayer with a history of depression, and had spent time in Bootham Hospital in 2009.

Coroner Donald Coverdale read a report from Dr R D Adams, a consultant psychiatrist at Bootham, which said follow-up meetings after his discharge showed Mr Young’s mental wellbeing had “improved considerably”. He had regained his driving licence and had started taking part in group activities.

Dr Adams also said the last time he had seen Mr Young, in March 2010, he “appeared to be doing well, and agreed to continue taking his antidepressants”, but he understood Mr Young later became paranoid, and believed police, neighbours and people in the street were plotting to send him to prison.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Mr Coverdale said a note had been left which was “consistent with a note written by somebody who was going to take their life”.

Ms Robinson said afterwards: “He’s at peace now, because he was troubled for a long time, but he was a great partner and dad to our children, Hayley and Andrew.”