A man who sparked a bomb scare at a swimming pool was found hanged three weeks later, an inquest heard.

John Connolly, 35, of Parkfield Road, Bradford, had been arrested and charged with making the hoax bomb threat at Shipley swimming pool on his birthday, the Bradford hearing was told.

He was already suffering from a depressive illness and became scared that a court might send him to prison.

He hanged himself at his friend's home in Bradford last May, using a duvet cover which was found around his neck.

In a statement read to the hearing, Matthew Connolly said that his son had a problem with alcohol for a number of years, adding: "When he went back on the beer he became depressed.''

He said he had no idea why his son carried out the threat and knew that the impending court case the following month was getting him down.

A few days before his death, John Connolly was admitted to Bradford Royal Infirmary following an overdose.

He was transferred to Lynfield Mount Hospital in Bradford to deal with his depression and alcohol problems.

He later discharged himself against medical advice but returned to the hospital a few days later to be assessed by a doctor who believed that Mr Connolly did not have any suicidal thoughts.

His friend Paul Rowe told the inquest that Mr Connolly said he wanted to take his own life and explained to him that he was not happy about the court case.

The inquest was told that emergency services were called after Mr Rowe failed to get a response from him while he was in the bathroom.

Police then forced the door from its hinges before an ambulance crew tried to revive him.

Coroner Roger Whittaker recorded a suicide verdict on Mr Connolly.

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