A HAMPSHIRE dad who took his own life had no previous history of mental health problems, a coroner’s court heard.

An inquest heard that Martin Newbold, known to family and friends as “Jimmy”, hanged himself in the garage of his home at Chalk Ridge, Highcliffe, Winchester.

He was found on August 31 by his son who tried to resuscitate him.

His wife, Gemma, told the court that her husband, a civil servant, had shown no signs that he might take his own life.

“I never, ever thought that he was going to do this.

He never ever talked about suicide,” she said.

A report from his GP said Mr Newbold had never presented any mental health problems.

However, the hearing in Winchester was told that Mr Newbold’s drinking had caused his wife some concern and he was twoand- half-times the drink drive limit at the time of his death.

Central Hampshire assistant deputy coroner Sarah Whitby recorded a verdict of suicide.