A FATHER-of-three who struggled with alcohol addiction took his own life days after being served with divorce papers, an inquest heard.

A hearing at Barrow Town Hall was told how Michael Doughty hanged himself at his home on February 17 this year.

The inquest heard Mr Doughty, a BAE worker, had struggled to cope with a drink problem on top of mental health issues, which had caused ‘difficulties’ in his marriage.

The 33-year-old was found dead at home on Frome Road, Walney, by his dad Ian Doughty who had become concerned for his son after he failed to turn up for a meal with a friend.

Mr Doughty said he had tried to gain entry to the house but his son had locked the door and bent the key on the lock to stop anyone entering.

He later found his son when he climbed a ladder and looked through a window.

The inquest heard that two days earlier Mr Doughty’s wife, Joanne, had started divorce proceedings, saying his drinking ‘hurt too much’.

His mother Michelle Doughty described her son as ‘very proud man’ who always ‘put on a brave face’.

She said he was a ‘loving’ father to his children, who he asked his wife to collect from his house on the day of his death.

Mrs Doughty said her son had told her: “I just want it to stop. I just don’t want to be here any more.”

The inquest heard Mr Doughty had sought help from substance support groups Unity and the Cumbria Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service and was taking anti-depressants.

His wife said: “We were always happy and got on like a house on fire.”

But she said: “I couldn’t trust him any more, it just hurt me too much.”

Coroner Margaret Taylor recorded a verdict of suicide, saying Mr Doughty would be ‘greatly missed’.

Friend Tony Wallace, who he was due to have lunch with Mr Doughty, on the day he died, said: “Nothing could’ve prepared me to lose my friend in this way. It must have been a culmination of things that got too much for him.”

Contact Samaritans’ helpline number 116 123 if you need help.