A depressed scaffolder hanged himself in an outhouse after finding out his partner of 35 years had cancer, an inquest heard.

Christopher James, 61, was found by his partner suspended from the roof of a tool shed adjoining the couple’s home in Worpole Road, Raynes Park, on December 8.

Westminster Coroner’s Court heard last Thursday how a neighbour cut Mr James free having heard his partner’s screams, but paramedics at the scene found him dead.

In a statement from his step-daughter Louise Hebbourn, read to the court, Mr James was described as suffering from deteriorating health and was barely able to walk by the time of his death.

He was taking anti-depressants after learning of his partner’s health problems, earlier in 2009, and according to Ms Hebbourn his decision to kill himself was an irrational, snap decision.

She said: “In his right mind he would not have inflicted such a ghastly experience on my mother as he was absolutely devoted to her.”

The former football referee, who had two replacement hips, was also described as becoming increasingly depressed and reclusive while refusing to undergo surgery to resolve his mobility problems.

Coroner Anthony Barton recorded a verdict of suicide.