A Bradford magistrate suffering from depression killed himself, an inquest heard.

David Shannon, 54, was found hanged in the garden of his home in Nursery Road, Clayton Heights, Bradford, by his wife in September.

The hearing in Bradford today was told that Mr Shannon, who had been a magistrate for 14 years, had suggested he might have been suicidal but tests with his doctor did not seem to put him at risk.

The Coroner Roger Whittaker read out a statement from Mr Shannon’s wife who said she woke on September 9 to discover his car was still in the drive when he should have set off for work.

She began to search the house and saw her husband in the garden when she went into the conservatory.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Mr Whittaker said: “But what we do know is that was while the balance of his mind was disturbed.”

After the hearing Mr Shannon’s sister Jean Harrison and his brother Philip Shannon said his sudden death had been a shock.

She said: “He was a really loving brother, kind, generous and an outgoing person with many friends and such a support network of colleagues.

“The funeral at the church was absolutely packed full – it just shows how popular he was and it’s come as such a shock.

“We would never have imagined he was the type of person to do something like this – he had so much going for him, it’s such a great shock.

“It has just left us all in pieces, looking for answers which we don’t think we can ever really find.”

Mr Shannon had been a magistrate since 1994 and served as a chairman in both the adult and youth courts.

He also served the bench as a mentor and appraiser.

He had worked for the Inland Revenue but had taken early retirement and took a part-time job as a security officer at Leeds-Bradford Airport.