A MAN who was worried about pending criminal charges committed suicide, an inquest heard.

The body of 47-year-old Joseph Gledhill was discovered hanged from a disused railway bridge over the River Calder, Dewsbury at about 5.30pm on May 23.

Coroner Dr Michael Bell sitting at Huddersfield Magistrates’ yesterday, told the court Mr Gledhill had seen his GP Dr Khan two weeks before his death.

He was “agitated” and expressed concern over facing criminal charges. He was prescribed antidepressants and advised to see a counsellor.

The inquest was not told the nature of the charges.

A witness statement from Craig Simmonds, who was walking with his partner and dogs, said: “As we were walking along the river bank we could see a body hanging 10ft below the bridge. I contacted the police straight away.”

Police said they were satisfied there was no third party involved.

Toxicology showed Mr Gledhill had a blood alcohol reading level equivalent to consuming around four pints of beer.

It was heard how Mr Gledhill, of Walker Street, Dewsbury, sent a text message to his wife Josephine prior to his death which the coroner said would be interpreted as setting out his intention to take his own life.

A post mortem revealed cause of death as asphyxiation caused by hanging.