A former Labour Party volunteer killed himself jus
A former Labour Party volunteer killed himself just days before he was due to be taken to court for theft, an inquest heard today (WEDS).
Loner Joseph Chandler, 55, had been caught stealing books from the library where he worked.
He was charged by police and was set to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court in south London on March 22 this year.
But when he failed to arrive for the hearing, police were sent round to his flat on Westminster’s Peabody Estate.
Mr Chandler was found sprawled on the floor near the bathroom.
Dozens of empty pill packets and three suicide notes were found in the flat, Westminster Coroner’s Court heard.
A post mortem later showed Mr Chandler had died from an overdose of various drugs.
He had a history of depression and had tried to kill himself in the past.
Recording a verdict of suicide, coroner Dr Paul Knapman said: ‘This was a man who was due to attend court by reason of charges of theft of books to a substantial value.
‘He was clearly very concerned about this, and anxious to avoid any term of imprisonment.
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