A MAN from St Albans who committed suicide on New Year s Eve was suffering from depression, an inquest heard. Russell Ford, who was first diagnosed with the illness in 1995, was found hanging at his St Albans home by his partner and was pronounced dead at

A MAN from St Albans who committed suicide on New Year's Eve was suffering from depression, an inquest heard.

Russell Ford, who was first diagnosed with the illness in 1995, was found hanging at his St Albans home by his partner and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Herts coroner Graham Danbury read a report from Russell's partner Joanne at the inquest, which described him as "kind and caring" on some days and "irritable and hurtful in what he said" on other days.

According to Joanne's letter, Russell, who sometimes suffered from insomnia, had a good Christmas Day and Boxing Day but his mood deteriorated shortly afterwards and he became very argumentative and difficult.

A post-mortem conducted by Dr Aidan O'Reilly concluded that Russell died of cardio-respiratory failure due to suspension and toxicology results indicated a social level of alcohol in Russell's blood and a small trace of paracetamol.

Mr Danbury, who recorded a verdict of suicide, extended his sympathies to Joanne and added: "Having considered the evidence about the low state that he was in, I have to conclude that Russell did intend to take his own life.