Beloved husband killed himself after 'feeling he could not overcome pressures'

Scott Cunningham, 33, was found dead at home in Blackfield by his wife Jaine as she returned from work at lunchtime on June 11.

She paid tribute to Mr Cunningham, describing him as a “wonderful” dad and husband.

An inquest into his death heard that the self-employed glazier had suffered from problems with alcohol and depression.

Mrs Cunningham said that her husband felt under pressure with his business and refused to turn down work, worrying that customers would go elsewhere if he did.

She said: “He was a wonderful husband and father and was my best friend.

“He never struggled to get work and he was good, but I think he found it hard. I was always there to help but he put pressure on himself.

“He was such a social and popular person and found time to go fishing, cycling and play football with his friends.

“People said we were the perfect couple.”

A postmortem revealed no alcohol in his system but trace levels of prescription medication were identified.

Mr Cunningham's mum Victoria explained that her son was a private person who kept his feelings and troubles to himself.

In the days leading up to his death she noticed that he was unhappy and dissatisfied, and had struggled to get help for his alcohol problem.

She said: “He had been to a place in Romsey but they preached the Bible to him and he didn't find it helpful - what he needed was practical help.

“He never liked to say no and never turned any work down.

“He was a great husband and father and was loved by everyone.”

Coroner Grahame Short said that Mr Cunningham's tragic death highlighted the dangers of addiction to alcohol.

He said: “This is a very sad case and I find that the evidence shows that he had an increasing problem with alcohol over recent years.

“He suffered from depression and I suspect that that was linked to alcohol.

“People become addicted and it's very difficult to then leave the drug behind, and this is a very sad example of that.”