Inquest into death of Highlander Nicki Hart at Catterick

Nicki Hart, 33, who served with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was found dead at Catterick Garrison on February 5, 2022.

The father-of-three, who was originally from Rhondda Valley, South Wales, had a history of mental health problems, with his family expressing their concerns about his use of alcohol.

Nicki Hart with sister Jamie (Image: IRWIN MITCHELL/SWNS) During the first day of the inquest, which was held at Northallerton Coroners Court on Monday (November 4), and is scheduled to last for ten days, it was heard that Nicki's family had raised questions about the soldier's mental health.

This mental health struggle for Highlander Hart began in 2012 after he developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a 2012 tour of Afghanistan, which intensified following a second tour of Afghanistan in 2020.

Other tragedies and stresses in Nicki's life included the death of a close friend Ryan Mackenzie at the barracks six months before, as well as family problems and his wife experiencing a miscarriage, which were all factors in a mental health deterioration, the inquest heard.

Nicki Hart (Image: PA MEDIA) Nicki was referred to mental health services within Catterick Garrison, but his wife Sara said that her "sociable" and "talkative" husband was left to "go vacant and passive" in his room.

On the first day of the inquest, Sara told the court that several days before Nicki's death, she received a text that said the Army hadn't prepared him to deal with his feelings.

Summarising the message at the inquest, Coroner Jonathan Leach read the text excerpt: "It's the Army way to bottle it up until victory".

Nicki Hart with brother Alex, dad Martin and sister Jamie (Image: IRWIN MITCHELL/SWNS) "I'm sorry I let you down, didn't just let you down but myself as well.

"There are issues that I've had to live with I'm not proud of. Things that I honestly can't put into words. I've been on autopilot for so long as I can't remember.

"Only now seeing these doctors are things beginning to hurt again, feelings that I have pushed away, pushed back for so f****ing long.

"The army always teaches you to suppress all your feelings and emotions until the battle is won but never teaches you how to deal with them coming forward again."

Highlander Hart's wife Sara also told the inquest that her husband had sent family members a video in the aftermath of a previous attempt to kill himself in October 2021, and, when he returned to Catterick in January 2022 after Christmas leave, he appeared "vacant" and distant in their FaceTime conversations. And she felt his mental health appointments were having a 'negative' effect on him.

Nicki Hart (Image: IRWIN MITCHELL/SWNS) She also expressed concerns about mental health sessions that Nicki was having at the barracks, with her saying: "I think these appointments harmed his mental health.

"He was having his appointments regularly where he would talk about what he was feeling, and then he was sent back to the barracks to sit on his own and ponder what had been said.

"He told you he had found the appointments draining, and after the appointments, he wasn't very talkative, he became very quiet.

"He didn't want to talk to his child or interact with him. He was very vacant and distant like he wasn't present."

It was the death of Nicki's close friend Ryan Mackenzie, which impacted him most, though.

Nicki Hart (Image: IRWIN MITCHELL/SWNS) Former soldier David Twiname, who lived above Nicki at Catterick, told the inquest: “The effect on Nicki was massive.”

Mr Twiname said alcohol became a coping mechanism and Highlander Hart would buy beer and wine from a local superstore or the Garrison store and take it back to his accommodation.

The witness said he made a conscious decision to be with Highlander Hart as he was worried about his friend’s mental health.

He was referred to mental health specialists and attended an appointment two days before his death.

But, according to military GP Simon Bloodworth, who saw Nicki during a mental health appointment in 2021, there wasn't any 'immediate danger' to the soldier during that consultation. 

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Mr Bloodworth told the inquest: "No emergency appointment or intervention was needed for Nicki. He was speaking to me normally and with eye contact, and there were no immediate signs that he was experiencing deep depression or a mental health battle."

Assistant Coroner Jonathan Leach said a toxicology report found the amount of alcohol in Highlander Hart's system would have put the soldier more than twice the legal drink drive limit when he died.

A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was hanging.

A Service Inquiry Report has found that there were “missed opportunities” in the care he received before he died.

The inquest continues.