A Chesham man took his own life after suffering with “several recent personal issues”, an inquest heard this week.

Robert Pugh, of Abbotts Vale, was found hanging in his garage by his wife Donna, who came home on the evening of March 1 this year to find him missing from the house.

Beaconsfield Coroner’s Court was told on Wednesday (June 30) the 56-year-old had been a heavy drinker and struggled to give up alcohol, “getting the shakes” when he tried, but had tried his hardest to give up.

In a statement read out to the court, Mrs Pugh said he had given up drinking a while back and that his depression and “apathy” had worsened, but he did not want to see a GP for anti-depressants.

She added: “He refused all types of mental health help.”

The court also heard Mr Pugh, who worked as a driver, fell out with work colleagues, and that there had been changes in his mood and personality in the weeks before he died.

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In her statement, Mrs Pugh said he gave up drinking “suddenly” and got the shakes as a result – so the couple decided to keep a bottle of alcohol in the house “just in case”. But eventually, Mr Pugh did not seem to need it, so they removed it.

She said she came home from work on the evening of March 1 and did not find Mr Pugh in the house.

She then went to the garage in case he was there and tried to open the door – but could not.

The court heard a neighbour saw her struggling and went over to help – and as they managed to get the door slightly open, they saw Mr Pugh hanging from it.

Speaking about her husband, Mrs Pugh said: “He was a great thinker and very black and white.

“He had some strange beliefs that had no basis in reality.”

A report from his GP said Mr Pugh had “alluded to mental health issues” earlier in his life, which had manifested five or six years previously.

A toxicology report found “noticeable levels of alcohol” in his blood and urine, which indicated he had consumed alcohol before he passed away.

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Senior coroner Crispin Butler said the alcohol could have lowered his inhibitions and made him bolder – enough to take the step that took his life.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Mr Butler said: “There is evidence of some recent personal issues.

“He [undertook the act] at a time and in a place where he knew he could not be saved.”

Mr Pugh’s medical cause of death was recorded as hanging.

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