A York-based soldier hanged himself in married quarters because his marriage breakdown had left him "nothing to live for", an inquest heard.

Sean William Jubb, 30, of the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment, had served in Northern Ireland during several years in the Army.

The inquest heard that in December 2000, his wife Jacinta moved out of their home in Cumberland Close, Strensall, with their son Paul and started divorce proceedings while living in an Army safe house.

On January 29, after an angry phone call with his wife's solicitor, Mr Jubb hanged himself by the stairs of their home.

His supervising officer Richard Mosley found his body after he failed to turn up for duty.

Coroner Donald Coverdale said Mr Jubb had sent his wife three notes.

"One of them referred to the fact that he feels he has nothing left to live for now," he said.

He recorded a verdict of suicide.

"Clearly Mr Jubb was in an unhappy domestic and matrimonial situation," said the coroner

"His wife had left the matrimonial home and there was one child to whom he was clearly devoted and to whom he wanted to have continuing contact. That was obviously difficult - his wife was living elsewhere.

"It was a matter causing him great concern. He was angry and clearly frustrated with the difficulties in resolving these matters."

The inquest heard evidence that army welfare officers had been involved with the family since July 2000 and that Mr Jubb had threatened to harm himself previously. On one occasion he was taken to hospital with an alcohol-related overdose, but he later denied he had tried to kill himself.

In a statement Mrs Jubb's solicitor, Clare Hunter, of Newcastle, said there was a history of domestic violence and her client was in an Army safe house.

The inquest heard Mr Jubb had told army welfare officers in July that he was not a wife-beater.

Updated: 12:08 Friday, June 22, 2001