Legal News

An inquest has heard how a 69-year-old widower took his own life because he felt ashamed at not being able to cope with the alleged bullying of neighbours.

The Daily Mail reports that Eric Sutcliffe was bullied over use of a communal garden at the property where he lived. He was shouted at and taunted – and was also called a “pervert” and “mad” by neighbours who waged a campaign against him, the inquest was told.

He was prevented from sitting down in the shared garden after they moved in – and also feared using his own lavatory at night in case any noise caused repercussions.

Retired gas engineer Mr Sutcliffe was found hanged by his daughter, Yvonne Hanson, at his home in Wibsey, Bradford, West Yorkshire, after being referred to mental health services on 16 January this year. The grandfather of 11 took his own life six weeks later while still waiting to see a doctor. Mr Sutcliffe had lived alone at the flat after the death of his wife Kathleen in 2002.

The inquest heard that the neighbours who had bullied Mr Sutcliffe had moved on, but he feared similar bullying occurring again and felt ashamed that the incidents had regularly reduced him to tears. The neighbours involved were named at the hearing as a “Mr and Mrs Naylor”, but were not present at the inquest into Mr Sutcliffe’s death and could not be reached for comment, the Mail reports.

Mr Sutcliffe’s daughter told the hearing:

“He was very ashamed at 69 for the first time in his life to be bullied. He took this as very negative toward his masculinity. Other than mum dying, he never cried – but he did cry over the bullying happening to him.

“Both my dad and neighbours downstairs had iron gates and doors because there were a lot of break-ins. They would taunt dad through the railing of the gate. They also called dad a pervert. That absolutely devastated him. Calling him a pervert sent him spiralling downhill.”

The couple had allegedly called Mr Sutcliffe “a pervert” after they accused him of looking through his window at their son’s girlfriend.

The hearing was told that other neighbours had supported Mr Sutcliffe and urged him to report the bullying to police and the housing assocation, but he did not.

Neighbour Ann Nuttall, 63, told the inquest:

“Eric was a kind, proud man, who had old fashioned values and was a total gentlemen. He was friendly to everyone he met and would do anyone a good turn. In the 26 years I knew Eric, I have never heard anyone say a bad word about him – and he never said a bad word about anyone else.”

The inquest heard that Mr Sutcliffe had attempted to deal with the situation himself by approaching the Naylors and asking if they could talk about the situation and resolve any problem they felt they had with him.

“He tried to be the peacemaker and point out that they were neighbours and it was in everyone's interests to live together peacefully,” said Mrs Nuttall.

“It is my opinion that having come from their own house they resented having to share space and facilities – and that Eric bore the brunt of this by virtue of living immediately above them and having a shared garden.”

Police spoke to the Naylors at their new home after Mr Sutcliffe’s death, but they denied having any issues with him. Mr Sutcliffe’s GP also said that there had been an element of paranoia about his neighbours.

The hearing was told that after the Naylors sold the flat, they returned to speak to the new owners the week before Mr Sutcliffe died – and he had feared the situation might recur with his new neighbours.

Coroner Oliver Longstaff, recorded a verdict of suicide and said:

“It is not for me to make any findings on these neighbours, especially as they have not been able to speak themselves. I note there may have been an element of shame and failure in not being able to cope.”

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise rental tenants and homeowners on how to deal with anti-social behaviour, harassment and nuisance neighbours under the law, including problems with neighbour disputes, graffiti, criminal damage and threatening or abusive behaviour.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – Duncan Lewis is a leading provider of Legal Aid services and also offers competitively priced or fixed fee private client services to tenants and homeowners.

For expert and sympathetic legal advice on how to deal with neighbour disputes and anti-social behaviour, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 7923 4020.