A retired firefighter took his own life shortly before being evicted from his home of 30 years over unpaid rent, an inquest has heard.

Peter Wright, 57, left a note next to documents from his landlords before ending his life on the morning of his planned eviction from his home in Suffield Road, High Wycombe, on November 13 last year.

Mr Wright was due to be ejected from his house over the rent backlog when his body was found by a court bailiff.

The former Ministry of Defence Fire Service officer was said to be devastated at the prospect of losing his home.

Housing association Red Kite Community Housing insisted it was left with no option but to follow through with the eviction.

The association described the death as a “tragedy” and claimed that Mr Wright had turned down their attempts to help over three years.

Mr Wright, who was medically retired after losing sight in one eye, was found hanged on November 13 when bailiff Sarah Stuart and Red Kite staff turned up at his home.

In a statement, Ms Stuart, based at Oxford County Court, told an inquest on February 14: “I went up to the address and knocked on all the doors and windows but there was no response.

“As I looked through the kitchen window I noticed a Red Kite letter on the table alongside a notepad and pen.

"I couldn’t see the writing on the notepad. I noticed that there didn’t appear to be many personal possessions inside and thought the tenant may have left the address.”

After asking a locksmith to force entry to the house, Ms Stuart said she then entered the house and saw the note.

She added in her statement: “As I turned about in the corner of the kitchen, I was confronted with the body.

“He was beyond help in my assessment. I told everyone to leave the property and I knew it would need to be treated as a crime scene.

“Had I believed there was a chance of saving his life I would have taken his pulse. I didn’t believe there was any chance.”

The air ambulance was called as paramedics tried desperately to save the life of Mr Wright, who was unmarried and had no children.

Det Con Thomas Digby, from Thames Valley Police, said the note made reference to “financial issues" and "rent arrears".

Coroner Crispin Butler recorded a verdict of suicide at Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court.

He said: “The medical cause of death is hanging.

“It seems clear that Peter Wright died at the property he was renting some time prior to 10.45am. I don’t think it was all that long before. There was a note which confirmed financial issues."

Neighbours described Mr Wright as a “quiet but kind” man.

David Booth, 67, said: “Peter had lived there for more than 30 years. He was a very quiet man, but he was genuine. He was a nice bloke. He would never have wanted to leave that house.

"I'm so surprised that he took his life."

Red Kite, which owns 6,500 homes in Wycombe, said it had made “concerted efforts” to work with Mr Wright over three years.

A spokesman said: “Unfortunately, all assistance including facilitating multi-agency help, financial wellbeing, floating support and the offer of a smaller home, which would have been more suited to his circumstances, were not accepted by him.

“We have been in contact with Mr Wright’s relative again following his death to offer them our support with his home.

“We had no reason to think that this would end with Mr Wright’s tragic death, which has been a huge shock to us all including those who worked closely with him.

“We would like to take this opportunity to offer our condolences once again to his family at this difficult time.”

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