Tivyside | Archive | 2006 | March | 28
From the archive, first published Tuesday 28th Mar 2006.
A MAN who was facing court proceedings may have killed himself because he could not face the idea of going to prison, an inquest has heard.
At the time of his death on January 2 this year Eli Roland Newton, 57, who ran the Crafty Critters stall in Newcastle Emlyn's Market Hall, was on bail from Swansea Crown Court. He had pleaded not guilty to charges of causing grievous bodily harm.
DC Rob Gravell, Cardigan police station, told the inquest in Aberystwyth this week that Mr Newton had previously served a prison sentence.
Questioned by Ceredigion Coroner, Mr Peter Brunton, the officer, who attended the scene where Mr Newton was found, confirmed that Mr Newton had previously told his family that he was on Crown Court bail for a serious offence and that he would not be prepared to go back to prison.
"This was preying on his mind," said DC Gravell, adding: "It is possible he would have gone down again." In his summing up Mr Brunton said: "We do not know how significant it is that Mr Newton was on bail. He had previous convictions and there was a good possibility he may have faced prison if the proceedings were concluded. It is significant that he had mentioned he didn't want to go back to prison. But there is no evidence to give a clear indication as to why he took the steps he did."
He recorded a verdict of suicide after hearing from consultant pathologist Dr Chris Simpson that Mr Newton died from carbon monoxide poisoning and that he was otherwise in good health.
His GP's statement indicated that Mr Newton had no mental illness or history of depression. The statement added that Mr Newton had some years ago spent 18 months in Borstal for drugs offences and burglary. Mr Newton, who lived near Dihewyd, was found in his car outside an empty property near Post Bach. Two suicide notes had been found.
DC Gravell told the inquest that two copper pipes had been fixed to the car's exhaust and that putty had been used to seal them.
Mr Brunton said that the two notes found showed there was a "clear indication" that Mr Newton intended to take his own life and added that he had "made meticulous preparations" to the car.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008