Concerns have been raised over poisonous chemicals that can be bought online after a dad-of-two purchased them to take his own life.
Samuel David Dickenson, known as Sam, obtained the controlled poison online and took the chemical at his flat on Wilkinson Street, Leigh, Wigan. He was found unresponsive there by emergency services in the early hours of March 11, 2020.
North West Ambulance Service said Sam, 33, managed to call 999 before he fell unconscious and was able to give his name and address, reports the M.E.N.
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Bolton Coroner’s Court heard how Sam’s family were "always at the end of the phone" for him if he needed support. Karen Dickenson, Sam’s mum, believed his mental health had deteriorated leading up to his death following a split with his partner.
She explained that he had become increasingly unhappy and decided that their eight-year relationship, from which they have two children, should come to an end. In the weeks that followed, the hearing heard Sam was sofa surfing until he found his flat in Leigh.
The plastic extrusion operator had been struggling with his mental health in the weeks leading up to his death, the inquest was told. Senior coroner Timothy Brennand believed he had an undiagnosed mental health condition that led him to have sporadic suicidal ideation.
In a statement, Mrs Dickenson said: “Everything has come as a complete shock. He had no background of self harm or suicidal ideation.
“I could not believe what I was hearing, everyone is still in shock about this. I just wanted to know how he died.”
She went on to explain that one moment that stood out was when he broke down in the kitchen in tears - something he would never normally do. Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Dickenson said: “He will be sadly missed by all his friends and family. We will be having a get together in a few weeks to see him off now the inquest is over. He was so well loved.”
The cause of death was chemical toxicity and a conclusion of suicide was recorded.
Concern over chemicals online, inquest heard
“There was real concern about the ready way members of the community are accessing these sites and source lethal chemicals that can bring about their own end,” Mr Brennand said. He went on to highlight the need to address this problem and thanked the police for their thorough investigation and report.
Mr Brennand requested an investigation into the chemical used in Sam’s death and a number of other cases. The two-year long investigation from Greater Manchester Police has uncovered how this particular chemical had been purchased online by Sam and dozens of others across the UK and internationally.
The packs were being bought from chemical companies - who have not been charged with criminal behaviour - on the advice of online forums which are now being heavily monitored globally. Expert toxicologist Dr Julie Evans, giving evidence at the inquest, explained that this chemical has been a "phenomenal" problem globally since the covid pandemic.
Detective inspector Andrew Wright told the court of how 45 confirmed deaths in the UK and Europe out of just over 200 people bought the chemicals from just one chemical company.
Samaritans (116 123) - samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. You can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org
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