A FATHER-OF-TWO killed himself after struggling to come to terms with being diag-nosed with a debilitating nerve disease.
Multiple sclerosis sufferer John Stephen Platts died after stabbing himself several times with a kitchen knife, a Huddersfield inquest heard yesterday.
The 60-year-old was found slumped on the floor of the utility room at his house in Manor Grange, Shepley, by his wife Janet.
Son Oliver fought to save his dad’s life by administering first aid as the ambulance rushed to the scene.
But tragically Mr Platts died from his injuries at his house on October 12 last year.
In a statement read out to the hearing, Mrs Platts told how her husband had previously attempted to take his own life.
She said Mr Platts, who she called by his middle name Stephen, was diagnosed with MS in 1999.
As the disease developed, his feet became deformed and he used a walking stick when he was out.
In 2009 he sought medical help from his GP as he started to feel depressed and he later began drinking heavily.
Deputy coroner Paul Marks said Mr Platts, who worked as a managing director in a publishing company before retiring, had died from multiple stab wounds which had severed a vital artery in his neck.
Mr Marks’ verdict was that Mr Platts killed himself.
