Man sent suicide note to stepson

A WARWICK court has heard it was alcohol and a depressive spiral that drove a man to send a picture of himself with a noose around his neck and a suicide note to his 12-year-old stepson.

The Warwick man sent the image of himself from the shoulders up with a bright orange rope tied around his neck, which was under tension and attached to a tree behind him on July 27.

Warwick Magistrates Court heard the 46-year-old, who cannot be named, included a short message to the 12-yearold boy saying, “Hey, tell Mum I love her and it’s all over.”

Police prosecutor Steve de Lissa said the boy quickly showed his mother, who called triple-0 to have emergency services intervene.

He said officers went to the man’s property a few days later for more information about the incident. “He said he’d consumed alcohol in the afternoon and became angry over his recent separation with his wife,” Sergeant de Lissa said.

Defence lawyer Amber Acreman agreed it was a “situational crisis” that drove her client to such a grim act, saying the man turned to alcohol to cope with an “extremely rocky” marriage and other family struggles.

“He’s now undergoing counselling for depression ... (and) is extremely remorseful for his actions and has apologised to his stepson,” she said.

Ms Acreman added that the man and his wife had since reconciled, with his partner supporting him in court.

The Warwick man pleaded guilty to one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence.

He was placed on a good behaviour bond for 12 months.

If you’re struggling or need someone to talk to, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 for support.