Norfolk Coroners Court inquest into death of Neil Read

The body of Neil Read was found in Catton Park Woods on the morning of April 1 with drugs and alcohol in his system. He was 42 years old.

An inquest into Neil's death heard that he struggled with his mental health from an early age which stemmed from the abandonment of his father aged three.

A statement read out on behalf of one of Neil's children, daughter Tamzin Read, said: "Dad was a kind and generous man.

"Although he never really had a penny to his name he would help his friends, or the people he loved, but he had a dark mind.

"He left school at 14 when he joined the fair and that's where his drug addiction truly started.

"He'd drink most days and did heroine, ecstasy, cocaine and acid - he never really lived - being either high or drunk.

The inquest was heard on September 30 at Norfolk Coroners Court (Image: Newsquest)

"In February 2023 he attempted suicide for the first time in a hotel room.

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"However having no money, a mountain of debt and a strong drug addiction, he had truly hit rock bottom."

A mental health team assessment after the first suicide attempt stated Neil "wanted this to be a wake up call to see more of his children and get back to work as a bricklayer".

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Neil was referred to charity Mind and Change Grow Live (CGL) but he felt he didn't need any kind of support from the mental health services.

Area coroner, Yvonne Blake, concluded that "Neil took his own life but was under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time, therefore his ability to reason was impaired".

She added: "Under the circumstances I'm not convinced Neil was of significantly clear mind to fully intend the consequences of his actions."

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