A man who was missing for months was found drowned on a Skegness beach last year. The body of John Howard Binsley was found on a beach in Skegness near the Bultin’s holiday resort on June 28.
In December an inquest was held in Lincoln, revealing how neighbours by his home in Yoxall had not seen him for several months, reports Staffordshire Live.
A toxicology report showed he had taken excessive amounts of paracetamol and codeine, the hearing was told.
Read More: Secretary of State makes recommendation over murderer Gary Salmon's release bid
Assistant coroner Jayne Wilkes read out a statement from Mr Binsley's sister Janet Dugmore in which his sibling said: "He became an electrician and trained to be a glider pilot, something he was very proud of. He would often buy himself the latest gadget before tossing to one side. In 2011 he met a lady friend who died from Covid in 2020."
The inquest heard Mr Binsley had suffered from depression in the past and had also attempted to take his own life. The inquest heard how he was depressed and had money worries, and took an overdose in 2010.
After getting help in 2012, he was discharged. In 2013 Mr Binsley started to suffer from anxiety attacks but was discharged again in 2018. The same year, he was found collapsed outside Burton's Queen's Hospital, having taken an overdose of pills, as well as drinking a quantity of beer.
The hearing was told he was referred to the mental health team, but he was not sectioned. A statement from a social worker from the Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust, based in Stafford, heard how he did not like living in his house. However, he said he could not move out until he had fixed the garden.
He avoided time at the house and missed letters including council tax bills, the statement said. He had been offered professional services to fix the garden, however, he preferred to do it on his own, the inquest was told.
In a statement, PC Andy Taylor, who was on duty in the Skegness, said he had received reports of a body on the beach at Ingoldmells near the Butlins resort. A post-mortem examination showed he had drowned. A toxicology report found he had excessive levels of paracetamol and codeine in his system. However, the coroner ruled the levels were unlikely to have played a part in his death, she said.
DC Daniel Douglas, from Lichfield CID, said Mr Binsley was first reported missing on June 23, however, his neighbours had not seen him for several months. He had been an electrician and alarm fitter and was retired.
The house in Yoxall, where he lived, he had shared with his mother and after she died he had lived there alone. He used to actively avoid his neighbours, said DC Douglas. He had been in a relationship with a woman, but she had sadly died in 2020 from Covid-19, he said.
After he was reported missing, officers examined his home. In the upstairs bedroom, there was writing on the wall suggesting he might take his own life. They also found his will and letters addressed to family members. However, these letters were old and had been written a while ago, said the coroner.
His sister also said in her statement: "The house in Yoxall was unloved and uncared for, this caused him much stress and anxiety. He was a lonely and private person and had a quiet life. I do believe he had some mental health issues but he was well-turned out, clean, tidy and presentable."
The coroner said: "We do not know what he was thinking and it may have been a possible accidental death. I am recording a narrative verdict. On June 28 he was pronounced deceased on Skegness beach. He had a significant medical history and previously had received mental health support.
"The direct cause of death is drowning and there was some indication of taking an overdose. There was no evidence of recent suicidal intention. The circumstances do not proceed the required level to rule suicide. I would like to express my severe condolences to his family."
If you need help
CALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalmzone.net has a helpline for men who are down and who need to talk or find information and support. They're open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year.
Depression Alliance is a charity for people with depression. It doesn’t have a helpline, but offers a wide range of useful resources and links to other relevant information depressionalliance.org
The Sanctuary (0300 003 7029 ) helps people who are struggling to cope - experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks or in crisis. You can call them between 8pm and 6am every night. There are other depression charities.
Havoca provides information to any adult who is suffering from past childhood abuse. https://www.havoca.org
Samaritans (116 123) samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you're feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org, write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA and visit www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.
READ NEXT:
