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A chronically ill dad of two committed suicide with an electric saw because he was scared his benefits would be changed again, an inquest heard.

Glenn Harris, 55, who couldn't work due to lupus and auto-immune disease, became "profoundly worried" about the Government's proposed cuts to disability payments.

He used the power tool to kill himself just weeks after telling his ex-wife he "couldn't go through all that again" - referring to his fitness to work being reassessed.

Mr Harris had not left a suicide note but there was a manual open next to his body, the coroner heard today.

His ex-wife, Gayle Harris, told the inquest in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, he was a "kind, caring man" but possible changes to his benefits, alongside his health problems, and bereavements, became "too much for him".

(Image: google)

Paramedics and the police were called to his home in Freeston Street, Cleethorpes, on February 10 after his son and a brother-in-law could not get a reply from his home.

A family member forced entry and found the body of father-of-two Mr Harris slumped on the floor.

There was blood on the walls and ceiling and he had suffered serious injuries from an electric saw, which was near his body and still plugged in.

In the weeks leading up to his suicide, Mrs Harris said he "looked absolutely dreadful.

"He said he had not eaten for two days. He was very shaky," she added.

"He was panicking about these benefit letters. He looked so poorly."

(Image: SWNS)

His sister's death in December added to his depression, as did the loss of his mother, the inquest heard.

Mrs Harris told the hearing at Cleethorpes Town Hall when her son could not get an answer at the door, she "had a funny feeling" that something was wrong, so she suggested he "bust the door in."

Coroner Paul Kelly concluded that Cleethorpes-born Mr Harris, a former Findus worker, committed suicide.

He said that Mr Harris suffered a "deteriorating picture of mental health" and was "becoming increasingly affected by adverse life events" including possible benefit changes.

"The injuries from which he died needed to be organised and planned." said Mr Kelly.

"It was unfortunate that he was unable to live with the problems that were beginning to overtake him."

After the hearing, Mrs Harris said that her ex-husband was a "kind, caring man".

He wanted to work but could not do so because of his medical conditions, including an auto-immune illness, lupus and other matters, she said.

The deaths of his two sisters and mother were another factor in his state of mind and it was "too much for him".

She added that the manner of his death was shocking and asked: "How does anybody do something like that?

"I don't think anybody can believe it.

"I think it's a little bit unique really."

He had, shortly before his death, gone shopping and done other tasks that he would normally do on that day of the week, she said.

"He was a very kind, loyal, caring man," said Mrs Harris.

"I never, ever in all the 30-odd years, heard him say anything wrong about anyone.

"He always said something kind."

She had known him since 1981 and said he was a great bloke who loved his football and pints with his mates.

They were married in 1987 and separated in 1997 but remained on good terms.