A former Coldstream guardsman tragically died of a

A former Coldstream guardsman tragically died of a heart
attack while gripping his son in a headlock to stop him from
drink-driving.

The burly 52-year-old was desperately tring to stop his tanked
-up son, Jamie, from driving to his girlfriend’s home on New Year’s
Day, Southwark Coroners Court was told today Friday.

Coroner Sir Montague Levine remarked: ‘This is one of the most
tragic inquests I have ever presided over.

‘
He told grieving relatives: ‘The deceased was an ex-guardsman
dedicated to the welfare of his children and was doing the right
thing trying to stop him drink-driving.

‘I know that this tragedy has made his son fall ill but he
must not feel any guilt over his father’s death because nobody could
have known of his heart condition.

‘
Victim Anthony Gray of Primrose Close, Catford, South London,
had such a serious heart conditition he could have died at any
time, said pathologist Dr Frederick Patel.

Grieving Mrs Joy Gray, left the embrace of one of her
four sons to give evidence to the court.

She said: ‘When I worried about his health he would always
say “If I was ill I would tell you babe”.

‘He refused to see doctors and I was worried because all the
Gray men die early: his father, uncle and grandfather all died
before seeing out their fifties.

‘
Det Chief Inspector Alan Vardie of Catford CID told the
inquest the son had been arrested after the incident because it
had been thought that death had been brought about by a fist fight.

He said: ‘After investigation there was no evidence that
the son threw any punch.

‘
Mrs Gray said that her husband used to control his children
by getting them in a ‘bear-hug’ or a headlock until they calmed
down.

‘On that day he was just trying to stop Jamie doing something
stupid,’ she explained.

Recording a verdict of death from natural causes, Sir Montague
offered his personal ‘condolences and deep sympathies’ to the family.

ENDS
LLLL