Bankrupt farmer inhaled pesticide

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A farmer who was facing bankruptcy and eviction from his home died after inhaling rat poison, police have said.

Bob Dearnley apparently killed himself after breathing in the toxic substance at Burpham Court Farm in Guildford, Surrey, on Thursday.

Surrey Police confirmed the substance was a pesticide called phostoxin. The chemical is commonly used on farms to kill rabbits, rats and moles.

Work is still ongoing to make the site safe because of the toxic chemicals.

Seven police officers and three ambulance crew members were taken to hospital as a precaution, after they were exposed to the poison, and were released later on Thursday.

Inquiries continue

Mr Dearnley, who was in his 50s and was arrested on Monday after a disturbance at his multimillion-pound home, had been made bankrupt after losing a court case against the National Trust.

A spokeswoman for Surrey Police said: "Police investigating the incident at Burpham Court Farm can now confirm that the substance found on the premises has been formally identified as phostoxin which is commonly used as a pesticide.

"The man who died at the scene has not yet been formally identified but police believe it to be Bob Dearnley.

"A post mortem has yet to be arranged."

She said investigations were continuing at the site.

A post-mortem examination would not take place on Friday because Mr Dearnley's body was still at the farmhouse and the body would be removed after the area had been made safe, she added.

Surrey Police earlier confirmed that Mr Dearnley had been arrested on suspicion of affray on Monday but was not charged.