Teacher was found dead at Wolverhampton home

A teacher was found dead in his home after concerned neighbours called the police when they had not seen him in a while, an inquest heard.

Patrick Royston, who was a languages teacher at Wolverhampton Girls' High School, was found hanged at his property in Church Road, Bradmore, Wolverhampton, on December 1 last year, the hearing in Walsall was told yesterday. Police were called to the address by a neighbour who said the 58-year-old would not answer his door.

Giving evidence at the inquest, Pc Gregory Asprey said he arrived at Mr Royston's home just before 6pm and managed to get a key to the property from another neighbour. He said: "The property was secure. There were lights on inside the house." He added that after discovering Mr Royston's body 'there wasn't any sign of life.' And he said documents were found inside the house containing details of his next of kin, along with a note saying 'Sorry'.

The inquest was told that Mr Royston, who was a graduate of Pembroke College in Oxford where he studied Latin and French, had a history of depression and had sought help from his doctor.

He had worked at Wolverhampton Girls' High School for 33 years and shortly before his death was promoted to subject lead for Classics.

Outside of school, Mr Royston collected antique books. He was also a regular church goer attending Beckminster Methodist Church, in Birches Barn Road, where around 300 people attended his funeral service in December.

Members of the church who attended the inquest said his students had been fond of him and he had been a 'humorous, likeable and popular' man.

Drawing the conclusion that Mr Royston killed himself, Senior Coroner Robin Balmain said: "It's frequently the case that coroners only get the briefest insight to what lies behind things like this. "There's absolutely nothing suspicious. He seemed to suffer from depression.He has left a note which clearly suggests an intention to self-harm. Beyond that, his motive just isn't clear."