Father hanged himself over fears of separation

Jonathan Ward, 27, was found hanged at his home, in Hemp-bridge Road, Selby, by his partner, Melissa Osborne, on May 4, this year.

On his left arm, written in ink, were the words "I do love Melissa - it isn't their fault. I can't do it, love Jonathan."

Miss Osborne said in a statement that she had known Jonathan since they both went to the same primary school, in York.

They met up again 18 months ago and began a relationship, living in York with Miss Osborne's son.

Miss Osborne said: "Jonathan was estranged from his wife, who was living in Spain. They planned to divorce so we could marry and plan our future."

Mr Ward then got a job as a chef in Selby and they moved to Hempbridge Road, where their son was born last year.

The couple settled in Selby, but then started "bickering" and discussed separating.

Miss Osborne said: "Sometimes he got down when he thought we might separate.

"Over the last couple of months he became more open about his fears of us separating. He was so devoted to my children and me."

The inquest heard that Miss Osborne left their home, in Selby, after Jonathan became very agitated and upset, saying he wanted some space.

She then received a series of mobile phone text messages from Jonathan, saying he was a "drunken waster".

Further messages said "I give up", and "I am not meant to be".

Miss Osborne said she had received similar messages before and did not think he would do anything drastic.

She then went to their home, where she found their son crying upstairs and her partner hanging from the loft hatch.

Jonathan's tearful mother, Ann Newton, of York, told the inquest: "I just feel very angry.

"My son could still be alive - all his cries for help were ignored."

North Yorkshire coroner Geoff Fell said: "Everything suggests that Jonathan attached more weight than he should have done to their domestic problems."

He recorded a verdict that he took his own life.

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, July 28, 2004