Man had mental health issues before his death

A YOUNG man was battling mental health issues before his death, an inquest has heard.

The body of Nicholas Whiteside, of Bridgend, was found by a passer-by on July 1, 2017.

A man found his body on the cycle path between Sarn and Penyfai, which lies near the A4063.

Yesterday, Cardiff Coroner’s Court heard Mr Whiteside, 24, suffered various mental health problems during his life.

Coroner Andrew Barkley read a statement on behalf of his father, who was not named in court.

The statement read: “The family are originally from Maesteg. I brought up the children with the help of my mother and my family. He was young when he began to have problems with children in school because he was motherless.

“When he moved from primary to secondary school the problems did not go away. He was expelled because he was disruptive.”

The court heard that despite support from the family, and the school, things got worse for Mr Whiteside.

He got into trouble with the police and started using cannabis.

The statement read: “At the age of 14 I couldn’t cope with his behaviour, and he went to live with his grandmother. He did not stay there long. He ended up in the Newport area, and later moved to a property on Park Street, in Bridgend.”

According to his medical records, Mr Whiteside was found to have symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia and he was given medication for this.

Before he died he was residing at a halfway house, on Park Street, where a team worked to help people with mental illness.

The court heard when he left the building on July 1 he told a member of staff he was going to see a friend.

But instead, he visited the A&E department at the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, where he had previously spent time. He had previously been admitted to hospital following concerns that his mental state had altered.

Doctors decided they needed to assess his medication that had recently been changed.

He was discharged on June 27, but he returned a few days later in the hope of being able to return. When he visited the hospital he spoke to mental health nurse, Laura Parry, who gave evidence at the inquest.

Ms Parry said: “At the time he was saying the SAS had been at his property the evening before. He never threatened harm towards himself. He was more focused on the SAS. He expressed that he was feeling unsafe.”

The court heard, in the past, Mr Whiteside had claimed he could “talk to dead people”.

He was also said to have an infatuation with gods and spirits and displayed psychotic symptoms.

The court heard he “wanted to be a god” when he died, even though he also said he did not actually want to end his life.

But, when he arrived at the hospital on July 1, Mr Whiteside was said to be less focused on these ideas.

Ms Parry discussed whether Mr Whiteside should be re-admitted with Dr Timothy Chan, but it was decided this was not the best option.

She added: “In this particular case, he did not show any thoughts of self-harm or suicide. The plan was to follow up the case the following day. It wasn’t anything to do with the number of beds.”

Mr Whiteside’s body was found later that day, and a post-mortem examination report concluded the circumstances surrounding his death were consistent with hanging.

Concluding the case, Mr Barkley said: “On the day he was seen by a support worker and he said he was going to a friend’s house.

“What was going on in his mind is not for anyone else to say.

“The cause of death that’s been given to me is hanging and I am accepting of that, but there was an absence of a note.

“There was no other evidence to support he was suicidal in the thoughts he had. I am not convinced that was his intention.

“I accept the cause of death as hanging and I will record Mr Whiteside died from the effects of self-suspension in conditions which are uncertain.”

For confidential support, the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123.