Jamie Bull, 36, was found dead at his flat by his dad Jim and stepmum Nicola (Picture: Facebook)

A father killed himself after his ex-wife ‘fought against him having access to his children over Christmas’, which led to his mental health difficulties ‘spiralling’, an inquest has heard.

Jamie Bull, 36, was found dead in his flat by his dad Jim and stepmum Nicola.

His girlfriend Stephanie Clayton told an inquest in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, that her boyfriend’s struggle with mental health issues worsened at Christmas, when his ex-wife stopped him from seeing his kids.

Miss Clayton said: ‘It was the number one reason he was feeling the way he was.’


The inquest heard Mr Bull, a dad-of-three, had struggled with mental health issues but was ‘good at hiding it’.



His brother Chris said: ‘It’s miraculous that someone who is in that much personal and mental turmoil themselves can selflessly help others in the way he did.’

Jamie’s family were also highly critical of an incident in October 2018, when he was detained by police under the Mental Health Act.

The inquest heard Mr Bull, a dad-of-three, had struggled with mental health issues but was ‘good at hiding it’ (Picture: Facebook)

His stepmum Nicola Bull said: ‘We sat with him in the A&E waiting area with two police officers, from 8am until 6pm.’

The inquest heard there had been no mental health beds available and so Mr Bull had to wait in A&E until a doctor arrived.

On Tuesday March 5, Mr Bull, described by his brother as a ‘great guy who loved helping others’, had an argument with Miss Clayton.

His family became concerned for him and went round to his flat, in Biggar Garth.

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He was found hanged and despite his dad Jim’s attempts to resuscitate him, he was pronounced dead by paramedics.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which was responsible for acute mental health services when Mr Bull was detained in October 2018, carried out an investigation after his death which highlighted a number of lessons to be learned.

A spokeswoman said: ‘We express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Bull at this difficult time.

‘The trust is not able to comment on this case at this time.’

Need support? Contact the Samaritans For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.