Inquest: Thornhill Lees dad found hanged at Ossett Town Hall

A member of the public found 22-year-old Richard Bradley’s body on the Ossett Town Hall steps at 7.30am on April 28.

Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

The court heard Mr Bradley, of Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury, had spent the previous evening drinking in Leeds with friends and his girlfriend.

The couple argued during the night out and exchanged text messages after Mr Bradley’s girlfriend left in a taxi, while he stayed out until around 4.30am.

Recording an open verdict, assistant deputy coroner Mary Burke said tests revealed Mr Bradley had drunk enough alcohol to put him the equivalent of more than three times over the legal limit for driving.

Miss Burke said: “I do have to question how able was Richard to form a clear intention to end his own life? Did he fully appreciate what the consequences of his actions would be?”

The court heard in one text message to his girlfriend, Mr Bradley said: “I may hang myself.”

Miss Burke added: “This was in context of an ongoing argument. It may be that he was trying to gain his girlfriend’s attention, to generate and trigger a response from her. This is a possible explanation of what happened in the early hours of April 28.

“A public place suggests others may be in the vicinity at the time the actions are being undertaken.

“I’m not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Richard intended to take his own life.”

The court was told Mr Bradley was the father of baby daughter to a previous girlfriend.

Police found there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragedy. A post mortem examination confirmed Mr Bradley died of asphyxiation caused by hanging.