Tragic father hanged from dog lead

11:21am Wednesday 24th October 2007

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A father hanged himself with a dog lead in what may have been a bizarre bid to get an extra kick from cocaine.

Jamie Simpkins was found sitting on a chair by his former wife with his pet dog Zach scurrying around by his feet.

Police believe he may have indulged in a bizarre drug taking ritual which boosts the effect of the party drug cocaine.

An inquest at Eastbourne Magistrates' Court heard yesterday how Mr Simpkins had been drinking during the morning and early afternoon leading up to his death on March 17.

He was living with his former wife, Karen Simpkins in Chichester Road, Seaford.

Mrs Simpkins saw him drinking in V Bar, on the corner of Pelham Yard and High Street in Seaford.

She then followed him to a block of flats in Tallands Parade, High Street, where his friend Robert Duncombe lived.

But she left for another pub when he made it clear he did not want to talk.

Mrs Simpkins later returned to the block of flats and found her ex-husband slouched on a chair having killed himself.

The lead was wrapped around his neck and tied to the stairs. His pet dog, Zach, was running around.

Mrs Simpkins, who described her ex-husband as a heavy drinker, said: "I don't think he intended to take his own life."

She raced upstairs to get Mr Duncombe, who was watching TV with his son and had no idea Mr Simpkins was in the hallway to the flats.

A toxicology report revealed recreational levels of cocaine and 276 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. He was also found with a bag of cannabis.

Sergeant Keith Wells of Seaford Police said: "I don't believe it was an intentional act."

He said a colleague had told him about a TV programme in which revellers chocked themselves to increased the effects of cocaine.

Recording an open verdict, East Sussex deputy coroner Joanna Pratt said: "There has been some suggestion that Mr Simpkins committed suicide.

"No witness has given evidence that the deceased expressed intent to do so and no note was taken.

"There has also been some suggestion that Mr Simpkins may have asphyxiated himself to enhance the cocaine he had taken.

"Although this a possible explanation it is by no means certain."