A prison teacher who took his own life had become anxious after locking himself away due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Andrew Cartwright was found dead at his home in Whybornes Chase, Minster on November 4 when his partner, Agnieszka Jablonska, returned from work.

An inquest at Maidstone’s County Hall last week heard the 52-year-old taught at HMP Elmley, but had been working remotely for some time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It had reportedly led to him feeling isolated.

On occasions he would turn his sons Ryan, 23, and Jac, 20, away from his home when they came to visit over fears he would give them and other family members the virus.

Assistant coroner Bina Patel heard he had become frightened to leave the house.

On the day of his death, the hearing was told the 52-year-old walked his partner out for work at 8am and spoke to her 22 minutes later when she arrived.

Ms Jablonska tried to ring him again at around 2.10pm but there was no answer and when she arrived back at their home she found him dead.

In a statement read out in the inquest, Andrew’s brother Richard Cartwright described him as a “workaholic” who would always put his teaching first. He said he was a “hard-working, easy-going and private person”.

The coroner was told the father-of-two had shown no recent signs of mental health problems, although he had been hospitalised in 2002 following an overdose caused by stress.

Paying tribute to his brother he said: “He was amazing at what he did because he was patient and always saw the best in everyone. He was a private person who was always dedicated to his work. He was the most conscientious person and was obsessed with his work.

“We’ve spoke to some of his colleagues and they told us how devastated they were by the news. He was amazing at what he did because he was patient and always saw the best in everyone.

"He was worried he would pass the virus onto his sons, parents, friends and family, so became isolated.”

Ms Patel concluded his death was a suicide.

Mr Cartwright, a keen keyboard player, lived on the Island his whole life and attended Halfway Primary School and Sheppey comprehensive.

Urging anyone to seek help if they’re struggling with mental illness, Richard said: “If you need help ask for it. Don’t bottle things up. Suicide is on the rise massively, especially in men, and there’s plenty of helplines who you can contact if you can’t speak to family or friends.”

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time

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