Family of Howard Clarke say he wasn't ready to leave N&N

The inquest into the death of Howard Clarke heard he was diagnosed with psychotic depression and suffered from "delusional thoughts".

Although he was hospitalised for his mental illness, he was discharged a month before he took his own life.

His family say he wasn’t ready to be let back into society on his own, but the coroner said: "There was no evidence of risk to anyone else and the services felt Howard's risk to himself had decreased as well."

Howard Clarke was pulled from the river Wensum on January 5 this year (Image: Newsquest)

Howard, also known as 'Howie' was recovered from the river Wensum on January 5 this year before being taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital where he died. He was 68 years old.

'HE HAD GOOD HEALTH MOST OF HIS LIFE' 

A statement read on behalf of Howard's sisters, Lindsey Seago and Susan James, said that he was "intelligent, honest and had a great sense of humour".

They added: "He had numerous creative talents being a cartoonist, illustrator and stand-up comic.

"He was fortunate to have good health most of his life, however he had a decline in his mental health in 2021.

Howard was taken to the N&N where he died (Image: Newsquest)

"He had self-harmed triggered by isolation during the pandemic and stress due to damp at his home, in Patricia Road."

While staying with one of his sisters in Essex, Howard's mental health problems continued and had suicidal thoughts.

Howard would have prolonged stays at the Priory Hospital and Broomfield Hospital throughout 2022. 

In early 2023 the family requested that Howard needed professional mental health care they could not provide and felt he could not be left on his own.

READ MORE: Witnesses recall moment cartoonist died in river Wensum

In February Howard was later taken to Broomfield Hospital after a bout of pneumonia before going back and forth between Julian Hospital and the N&N.

RELEASED 'FAR TOO SOON' 

The court heard that Howard had ups and downs during his time at the N&N after being sectioned there in March for his own safety.

He would suffer from tremors while having delusions about money and about the council taking his flat away, which could not happen since he owned the property.

Howard's medication was increased and decreased during his time and he was prescribed Lithium in June, which the family were also concerned about the side effects this would have on him.

However they were told by psychiatrists that Howard's mood had improved since taking it and that wasn't a problem.

Sometimes he would ask for knives and said he "didn't want to wake up".

The sister's statement added that Howard would sometimes "spit out his tablets as he became reluctant to take them.

Norfolk Coroners Court heard that Howard's family believed he was discharged too soon from hospital (Image: Newsquest)

"He was so up and down we wondered how he could cope alone in his flat, but in October, he began having unaccompanied home leaves, which we thought was far too soon."

'HE COULDN'T WAIT TO RETURN HOME' 

In a Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) summary read out it stated Howard was able to communicate his needs and that he both enjoyed and felt safe at home.

It added that during his leave he would "listen to music, cook his own meals, see friends and that he couldn't wait to return".

Howard was under the care of Home First, Essex Crisis Team, Norwich Community Team and First Response Care Team.

On December 6 Howard was officially discharged from the N&N back to his home address.

CORONER'S CONCLUSION 

Area coroner Yvonne Blake concluded that Howard "intended to take his own life" and got the impression "he thought he'd never get better".

"I know the family had concerns about him being released too soon but he'd been in hospital a very long time.

"Unfortunately you can't keep someone sectioned forever and if they appear to have insight and are accepting the treatment given to them, the mental health services are required to take the least restrictive option.

"There was no evidence of risk to anyone else and the services felt Howard's risk to himself had decreased as well."

She concluded that Howard intended to end his own life and died by suicide.

A post mortem concluded that Howard’s cause of death was “ischemic heart disease and venlafaxine toxicit”.

Area coroner, Yvonne Blake, concluded Howard intended to end his own life and died by suicide (Image: Newsquest)