A SILSDEN man accidentally hanged himself, an inquest has heard.

Richard Webster, 48, of Kirkgate, Silsden, was found hanging from a rope at his flat. The father of two was alone when police broke the door down on March 1 this year.

Bradford coroner Peter Merchant had a number of statements read out in court, one of which was from his mother, Mollie Vann, who now lives in Turkey. She said in her statement her son, who was divorced, struggled to come to terms with the break up of a relationship with a woman which ended a couple of years ago. She said: “He was worried about his finances and had little social life. We tried to help him.”

Mr Webster had sought medical help in 2015 from his GP where he admitted having suicidal thoughts. He had been given counselling for depression and anger management and given anti-depressants. He was discharged from mental health services in April 2015.

Mr Merchant read that on March 1 the family had become concerned they had not seen anything of Mr Webster, a building labourer, for a week and called the police.

PC Darren Summer said he found the deceased Mr Webster and called an ambulance. There was no suicide note and no prescription medication.

Mr Merchant said a post-mortem concluded Mr Webster died from asphyxiation (hanging). Toxicology reports also showed cocaine and cannabis use and that he had taken cocaine shortly before his death.

Recording a verdict of accidental death by autoerotic asphyxiation, Mr Merchant told the family: “While he had some problems in the past and in more recent times with finances, to suggest he was troubled in any way to the extent he would take his life is not an option I can safely record. I am satisfied that this was an accident.”