Train tragedy of footballer in love split over text row
A YOUNG footballer died under the wheels of an express train just 12 hours after breaking up with his girlfriend, an inquest heard.
Jacob Standbridge stepped in front of the early-morning service after texting his mother: ‘I love you Mum so much. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I’m so sorry.’
The 21-year- old had split up with Ciera Barnes the previous evening after becoming upset about texts he had found on her phone.
However a coroner ruled it was not clear if he meant to take his own life.
Mr Standbridge had intended to propose on a trip to New York and the couple were buying a house together.
But their relationship became troubled when he began using steroid injections before deciding to come off them, the hearing was told. Mr Standbefore bridge died at the scene of multiple injuries after the 6.30am impact last October 13 at his local railway station at Sandbach, Cheshire.
Known as Jake, he had played for the academy at Stoke City. After a BTech in sports management, he began providing training in schools.
His mother Karen said Miss Barnes became his ‘first love’ after they met at the start of 2016 but their relationship became ‘rocky’ after he started to use the steroids.
‘He felt she had changed and didn’t love him any more,’ she told the inquest. Mrs Standbridge said the couple nearly cancelled a holiday in August 2018 after he found some text messages but ‘worked through it’.
She added ‘it was very up and down’ Final text: With his mother Karen he called on October 12 to say ‘it was over’ after he had found more texts on Miss Barnes’ phone.
Mrs Standbridge said: ‘He arrived at our house at 8pm. I didn’t think they were as bad as he thought but Jake changed his status to single on Facebook and transferred half the savings.’
At 5.30am the next day, she heard him leave and drive off. When he texted to say he loved her, Mrs Standbridge replied begging him to come home but could not reach him.
She said she believed his decision to stop taking steroids meant ‘he wasn’t in his right mind for whatever reason’.
Miss Barnes, thought to be 21, told the hearing in Warrington: ‘He took the steroids between July and August but his reaction to situations or arguments would be escalated.
‘Jacob told me he was going to withdraw and go to the doctor. After his death we found out he didn’t go.’
Details of the texts found by Mr Standbridge were not disclosed.
Assistant coroner Heath Westerman recorded an open conclusion.
‘He wasn’t in his right mind’