Chainsaw man cut his head off as a protest

1:00pm Thursday 20th November 2008

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By Jon Reeve »

A HAMPSHIRE man cut his own head off with a chainsaw in protest at being forced from his home, an inquest heard.

David Phyall went to tragic lengths to take his life because he wanted to make a statement about what he believed was unfair treatment at the hands of his housing association landlords, the court was told.

Winchester’s deputy coroner yesterday described the 50-yearold’s death as “the most bizarre” case he has dealt with in his 15 years in the role.

“Why he chose to take his own life in this particular manner can only be guessed at,” said Simon Burge, officially recording a verdict of suicide.

“But it seems to me his intention was to cause the maximum impact and he was making a clear statement – he succeeded in doing so.”

Despite initially saying he approved of Atlantic Housing’s plans to bulldoze the rundown estate in Bodmin Road, Eastleigh, Mr Phyall then spent two years fighting to stay in his ground floor flat.

He rejected 11 offers of alternative accommodation from Atlantic and other social landlords – while other residents chose to move out to better homes – despite having regularly complained about his living conditions.

By the time he killed himself in July this year, Mr Phyall’s was the only property not lying empty and boarded up.

With the backing for its £7.8m redevelopment scheme from a majority of residents, Atlantic gained planning permission from Eastleigh Borough Council in 2006 to demolish and rebuild the homes.

But Mr Phyall,who had a history of mental health, epilepsy and mobility problems, became determined to stay put.

His steadfast refusal to leave led Atlantic to gain a court possession order for the flat, in June.

Just two weeks later, on July 5, police found his body after breaking into the property.

They had been called by his elderly parents, concerned when they got no answer on a routine weekly visit.

John Phyall told police his son’s death was “totally unexpected”.

The court was told in graphic detail how Mr Phyall constructed the contraption to take his own life, and the horrific injuries it caused.

But in accordance with guidelines set down by the Press Complaints Commission, the Daily Echo is unable to print those details, nor would wish to.

Atlantic were last night unavailable for comment, but speaking after the discovery, the chief executive of parent company First Wessex told the Daily Echo the association had tried everything possible to help Mr Phyall.

Peter Walters said Atlantic had only gone to court with “great reluctance”, and not acted on the order it gained.

“We made great efforts to satisfy his wishes for alternative accommodation,” he said.

“We offered him full assistance in planning for his move, including arranging removal companies, assisting with packing and removals ourselves as well as facilitating independent support for him.”

Mr Burge said Mr Phyall clearly felt aggrieved at his situation, but Atlantic was in no way to blame for his death.

“His behaviour does not in any sense reflect on the careful handling of his situation by his landlords,” said the coroner.

“In the 15 years I have been sitting as deputy coroner, this is the most bizarre case I can recall. It was an appalling way to take one’s life, however that is clearly what happened.”