A MAN, who was found hanged from a Basingstoke bridge, committed suicide, a coroner has ruled.

The body of Wayne Cockerell was discovered on the footbridge between the Thornycroft Roundabout and Winchester Road Roundabout in Basingstoke shortly after 7am on November 24.

An inquest at Alton Magistrates’ Court heard that a toxicology test showed there was alcohol in Mr Cockerell’s blood – enough to put him just over the drink-drive limit – and also detected a low level of cocaine and of prescription drugs.

His former partner Beth Durling, with whom he had a teenage son, Jordan, said she had spoken to him the night before.

The pair discussed a mobile phone Mr Cockerell had bought for their son, and she said her former partner sounded normal, but complained of being overworked in his job as a painter and decorator.

North East Hampshire coroner Andrew Bradley heard that Mr Cockerell had self-harmed in the past, had issues with drugs, and had a difficult childhood. His brother had committed suicide which left him feeling abandoned, Ms Durling said.

She added he became depressed each year around Christmas, and told the coroner: “I always felt he would take his own life.”

Recording a verdict of suicide, Mr Bradley said the situation was “desperately sad”.