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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Charges led to soldier's suicide | Charges led to soldier's suicide |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A 21-year-old soldier hanged himself at an Army base in North Yorkshire because he was facing a criminal investigation, an inquest heard. | A 21-year-old soldier hanged himself at an Army base in North Yorkshire because he was facing a criminal investigation, an inquest heard. |
| L/Cpl Derek McGregor, from Blackpool in Lancashire, was found at Catterick Garrison on 7 July 2003. | L/Cpl Derek McGregor, from Blackpool in Lancashire, was found at Catterick Garrison on 7 July 2003. |
| Recording a narrative verdict at Harrogate Magistrates' Court, the coroner said a suicide note by L/Cpl McGregor had made his intentions clear. | Recording a narrative verdict at Harrogate Magistrates' Court, the coroner said a suicide note by L/Cpl McGregor had made his intentions clear. |
| The soldier had been facing a number of criminal charges. | The soldier had been facing a number of criminal charges. |
| The combat medical technician was accused of having "inappropriate material" on his computer, as well as other potential allegations of theft of tablets and being absent without leave while stationed in Northern Ireland. | The combat medical technician was accused of having "inappropriate material" on his computer, as well as other potential allegations of theft of tablets and being absent without leave while stationed in Northern Ireland. |
| He was admitted to a psychiatric unit in Catterick after going Awol while stationed in Northern Ireland. | He was admitted to a psychiatric unit in Catterick after going Awol while stationed in Northern Ireland. |
| Coroner Geoff Fell said: "It is quite clear by the note left by Derek what his intentions were. | Coroner Geoff Fell said: "It is quite clear by the note left by Derek what his intentions were. |
| 'Last Words' | 'Last Words' |
| "I'm quite sure his actions were motivated by the allegations made against him in Northern Ireland in 2003. | "I'm quite sure his actions were motivated by the allegations made against him in Northern Ireland in 2003. |
| "Derek had a number of stresses in his life. He left a note indicating unequivocal intent." | "Derek had a number of stresses in his life. He left a note indicating unequivocal intent." |
| Two weeks prior to his death, on 23 June military police picked up L/Cpl McGregor as he tried to find a place to hang himself. | Two weeks prior to his death, on 23 June military police picked up L/Cpl McGregor as he tried to find a place to hang himself. |
| Psychiatrist Dr May Thi told the coroner that the soldier was not suffering from a psychiatric illness, but was at a risk of self-harm. | |
| After the incident on 23 June, army officers had attempted to have him readmitted to the Duchess of Kent unit, but he had refused to return. | |
| Mr Fell said the suicide note was headed "Last Words" and signed by L/Cpl McGregor. | |
| Part of the note said: "I don't have any friends and people laugh at me. I've only had one love and I wasn't good enough for her." | Part of the note said: "I don't have any friends and people laugh at me. I've only had one love and I wasn't good enough for her." |
| It continued: "I was in hospital a little while ago and told them I can't sleep and I'm having nightmares and having hallucinations - but they said I was lying and I just hope they believe me now and help other people like me." | It continued: "I was in hospital a little while ago and told them I can't sleep and I'm having nightmares and having hallucinations - but they said I was lying and I just hope they believe me now and help other people like me." |
| The note went on to say: "I won't miss this world and I'm sure it will not miss me. | The note went on to say: "I won't miss this world and I'm sure it will not miss me. |
| "I just hope there is something better for me after this and I will be happy." | "I just hope there is something better for me after this and I will be happy." |