A MAN with a history of mental health issues used a shotgun to take his own life, an inquest heard.

Kevin John Primmer, 54, was found by his wife Catherine at their home address on May 6.

She rushed to the property in Riverside Farm Lane, Alresford, after speaking to Mr Primmer over the phone.

Portsmouth Coroner's Court heard that she knew something was wrong with her husband because he finished the conversation by saying: "I love you very much Cath, goodbye".

"We first met in 1994 and married in '96. I would consider him my best friend," said Mrs Primmer in a statement.

"We did everything as a couple and Covid brought us even closer together because Kev was told to shield.

"He had mental health battles 16 years ago – I'm sure he had a mental breakdown. He was on medication for quite some time and he was always a worrier.

"The first few weeks of lockdown were very pleasant and Kev was content. He was enjoying gardening and it looked beautiful. Every time I came home from work he would take me outside to see what he had done."

Mr Primmer became anxious when realising his medical exemption card was out of date.

"He became very concerned that he would need to make back payments," added Mrs Primmer. "I told him we would get it sorted."

Debbie Harmer, Mr Primmer's sister, heard the gunshot on May 6 at around 10am as she lives next door.

She told police: "We would speak in the garden regularly and he did not come across as being down.

"I thought the loud bang was him dropping something."

Ms Harmer acknowledged that her brother's mental health issues 16 years ago began after being made redundant from a dairy farm.

The court heard that Mr Primmer was an active man and enjoyed working.

A post mortem report by Dr Adnan Al-Badri stated that there was no alcohol or drugs in the deceased's system at the time of death.

Senior coroner Christopher Wilkinson concluded as death by suicide.

He said: "I extend my sincere condolences to the family. The information I have heard and read paints a picture of a gentleman who was happily married since 1996, with a loving family who he lived very close to.

"Mr Primmer became concerned about significant financial costs, which I believe caused an acute anxiety crisis."

Mr Wilkinson also acknowledged that the shotgun Mr Primmer used was correctly licensed.