Mounting pressures on prison officer Andrew Foad made him hang himself, an inquest heard.

Mr Foad, 28, was found by his father, Neil, hanged from a beam in the garage at their home in Willow Farm Way, Herne Bay on March 21.

The popular officer was suffering from career-threatening degenerative back disease, had split fom his fiancée and was suffering from depression and hypertension.

North East Kent assistant coroner James Dillon heard Mr Foad had been drinking heavily as well.

Neil Foad said his son liked kayaking and walking and that the back condition was beginning to stop him pursuing these hobbies.

He said:”It caused him a lot of pain. The debilitating pain impacted on his ability to do things. You could see it in his face.

“He had an alcohol problem. He used alcohol as a way of relaxing after the stresses and strains at work.

“He threw himself into his work. He loved his job but he said conditions at Elmley had changed in the last two years.

“Increasingly, he felt less supported by the system.

“There were a lot of little things that built up.”

Neil had asked his son if he needed any shopping. He walked into the garage and saw his body.

He called for help and tried to get him breathing.

DI Catherine Way told the inquest that a few days before his death he had tried to stab himself in the chest.

He told ex-girlfriend Deanna Critchett that he had done something stupid while on a training course in Essex.

He felt working conditions were poor and he might have to give up his job.

His relationship with Deanna suffered and on February 27 she left him, saying she couldn’t take any more.

He sent her a message before trying to stab himself on March 18.

It said: ”I’m truly sorry for everything. I love you. Goodbye.”

“It seems a combination of degenerative back disease, stress at work, depression, the breakdown of his relationship and alcohol led Andy to take that fatal step" - James Dillon

She told him not do anything stupid. Five days later he killed himself.

The coroner said: ”Andrew was worried about his future. It was a physically demanding job.

He had a wish to improve working conditions but felt unsupported by his colleagues.

“He left no note about taking his own life.

“It seems a combination of degenerative back disease, stress at work, depression, the breakdown of his relationship and alcohol led Andy to take that fatal step.”

Verdict: Suicide.

Anyone feeling desperate or suicidal can call Canterbury Samaritans in confidence on 01227 457777.