A FORMER lorry driver from Carlisle took his own life after suffering a downward spiral in his mental health, in which he lost his relationship, his job, his home and his mother.

Darren Bateman, 45, was found dead on April 29, 2024, at a property on Caldbeck Road which his mother had rented from Riverside Housing until she had passed away earlier in the year.

A police statement submitted to the court said that a call was received on the morning of April 29 by Riverside staff, who had gone to Caldbeck Road to change the locks on their property.

The staff reported to police that Mr Bateman's mother's contract had ended, and they believed he was living there illegally.

They said that they had given him notice to vacate, posted a card on April 25, informing him they would be changing the locks.

Staff reported 'something was off' when they visited the property and heard a radio playing, along with seeing undisturbed mail addressed to Mr Bateman.

The police sergeant said staff reported being 'concerned for a man's welfare'.

Upon gaining entry, the officer found Mr Bateman, and said it was apparent he had 'lain in this position for some time'.

A suicide note was found at the scene.

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A statement submitted to the court by Mr Bateman's sister said that he had driven long-distance lorries for around ten years before working at Pirelli, but lost his job when he his licence was revoked.

She said this was 'around two years ago', and his last relationship ended around a year ago, after which time he had 'nowhere to live'.

Mr Bateman's sister said that at first, he would stay with friends, but latterly, 'would end up sleeping rough and in parks around Carlisle'.

Mr Bateman was referred five times from October 7 to the liaison and diversion team, firstly from Carlisle police.

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His 'vulnerabilities' were cited as substance and alcohol misuse, housing and emotional difficulties.

He stated that he was managing his alcohol use himself, and had abstained since September 2023, and so declined support from drug and alcohol services.

A mental health clinician, Dr Sheehy, said in a statement that Mr Bateman reported his mental health as having 'deteriorated' since the end of his relationship, and that he had experienced thoughts of suicide.

It said that prior to this relationship breakdown, his mental health was 'stable', and he 'managed difficulties well'.

He was discharged for the final time on March 27, as he said he was staying with a friend in Wigton and would 'be in touch' regarding housing, and was at that time engaged with probation services.

A GP report stated that his prescribed medication was changed in March 2024 from mirtazapine to duloxetine, which he reported was 'working brilliantly'.

Area Coroner for Cumbria, Kirsty Gomersal, said that a toxicology report showed levels of alcohol more than two times over the drink-drive limit, and a concentration of bromazolam in Mr Bateman's system when he died.

She said it was 'not possible to determine' what effect the use of alcohol and bromazolam had on Mr Bateman’s mind at the time.

Ms Gomersal concluded that Mr Bateman's death was suicide by hanging.

She said: "Towards the end of his life Darren had lost his job and was living rough following the end of his relationship about a year previously.

"What (Mr Bateman’s sister) outlined is a very sad end to Darren’s life."

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