A notorious fraudster took his own life after being unable to escape his problems with money, an inquest ruled.
Stephen Evans was found dead by police at his home in Kendal on September 27 after concerns were raised that he'd missed a shift at the outdoor adventure centre where he worked. An inquest held into his death on Tuesday (February 21) concluded that Mr Evans took his own life.
The 38-year-old earned the nickname the "Wolf of Old Hall Street" after he was jailed for five years following a £4.4m Ponzi scam in 2014, which he ran from an office on Old Hall Street in Liverpool city centre, Lancs Live reports.
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The inquest heard a lengthy statement from his mum, Carolyn Harding, who told the court they had an on-and-off relationship. When Stephen was a teenager he moved in with his grandparents to complete his education before moving back in with his mum a number of years later.
She told the court that months would go by and she would not hear from him. But the last time she saw him he gave her a 'longer hug than usual'.
On the day Mr Evans was found, colleagues at the Bendrigg Trust called the police to raise concerns that he had not shown up for work. Two officers attended his home and were granted access to the property by the landlady.
Upon entering his home, the officers found Mr Evans had died. Toxicology reports showed he had no drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of his death.
Concluding the inquest, Margaret Taylor said: "He was clearly a talented individual but he was complex. He had a number of different business adventures which ran into difficulties and that impacted very heavily on his life.
"He had gotten himself into a situation where he was involved with fraud which had resulted in a custodial sentence. But having left prison he started up a new business and the problems seem to follow him.
"He moved to Kendal where he was in a relationship with a partner who had noticed that he appeared extremely stressed. His partner believed he owed people money and he was worried about people trying to find him.
"On September 27 we know that colleagues at work reported a concern for welfare because he hadn't come in. Police had to force entry and that is where they found Stephen."
Mrs Taylor said the only conclusion she could give was that of suicide.
Mr Evans who was jailed for five years following a Ponzi scam in 2014, used other people’s money on lavish holidays, jewellery and even £250,000 on a racehorse he renamed Fat Gary. Having served time in jail, he took on a part-time job at an outdoor adventure centre for local charity the Bendrigg Trust.
Mr Evans worked as a stockbroker and financial adviser between 2007 and 2010 while living in the United Arab Emirates before setting up his own company, Stephen Evans Investments Ltd.
He continued living in Dubai and the Isle of Man for tax purposes and began to scam his clients by persuading them to hand over cash that he claimed would be invested but was really spent to fund his lifestyle. Mr Evans was eventually caught when a private investigator, hired by one of his victims, tracked him down and was subsequently jailed.
Mental health helplines and support groups
The following are helplines and support networks for people to talk to, mostly listed on the NHS Choices website
- Samaritans (116 123) 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.
- CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58) is a leading movement against suicide. It runs a UK helpline and webchat from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year for anyone who has hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
- PANDAS (0808 1961 776) runs a free helpline and offers a support service for people who may be suffering with perinatal mental illness, including prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal depression plus support for their family or network.
- Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won't show up on your phone bill.
- PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is an organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
- Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
- Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.
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