Ex-company director stabbed himself in the neck

An ex-company director stabbed himself in the neck and wrists after becoming low in mood and anxious about 'trivial matters', an inquest heard today.

Victor Spicer was found dead in the kitchen of his home in Mallow Park, Maidenhead, by long-term partner Barbara Thorpe on February 11.

She told an inquest at Windsor's Guildhall that the 70-year-old had seemed depressed and lonely and was worrying about minor issues such as the state of his car and sofa.

"He was getting very, very worried about lots and lot of things, which to other people would not mean anything,” she said.

A pathologist found the pensioner had consumed paracetamol and codeine at more than double the recognised fatal thresholds.

Berkshire coroner Peter Bedford recorded Mr Spicer had committed suicide while low in mood.

He added: "It is difficult to doubt that this was anything other than an intentional act with one unhappy outcome."