Family of Nicki Hart who died at Catterick Garrison speak

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, after years of battling mental health and personal problems.

Over the last ten days, an inquest into his death has been conducted at Northallerton Coroners’ Court.

Nicki Hart with sister Jamie (Image: IRWIN MITCHELL/SWNS)

During the concluding day of the inquest on Friday (November 15), coroner Jonathan Leach recorded a verdict of suicide.

Mr Leach highlighted that there had been ‘learnings’ and ‘missed opportunities’ at stages of Highlander Hart’s treatment, but admitted that this didn’t amount to negligence or weren’t ‘significant factors’ in the soldier’s death. 

But his family have now claimed that there were 'significant failings' at the army base, and say they believe that their loved one's death could have been stopped.

His widow Sara, 38, said that she believes that if her soldier husband had received earlier treatment and help his death could have been prevented.

Nicki Hart (Image: PA MEDIA)

She said: “It’s almost impossible to describe how I felt when I was told Nicki had died. There’s not a day that goes by when I don’t think about him.

“He had so much to live for and I’ll always struggle to accept that he’s no longer here with me watching our children grow up.

“I’d give anything to bring Nicki back, but I know that can’t happen.  While hearing everything at the Inquest has been nothing short of traumatic, some missed opportunities have been identified We as a family remain of the opinion that had he received ”

Nicki's sister Jamie also paid tribute to her brother and said that she hoped that the lessons learned in this inquest and by the British Army could help other soldiers in the future and be Nicki's 'legacy'.

IRWIN MITCHELL/SWNS (Image: IRWIN MITCHELL/SWNS)

She said: “Nicki was the best brother and I miss him every single day. 

"It was bad enough to find out he was having problems with his mental health, but then to hear he had gone completely floored me. I couldn’t take it in and still struggle more than two years on.

“All Sara and I can do now is hope that something is put in place to ensure soldiers get the help and support they need.  At the very least, it’ll help us honour Nicki’s memory.”

Throughout the inquest, Sara and Jamie were supported by lawyers from Irwin Mitchell.

After the inquest had concluded on Friday, Ayse Ince, the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Sara and Jamie, said: “It’s been an incredibly distressing time for Sara and Jamie who continue to struggle with losing Nicki so suddenly and in such tragic circumstances.

“Grieving has been all the harder because of the number of questions and concerns that they have about what happened to Nicki.

“It has been very difficult for Sara and Jamie to hear again what Nicki went through at the inquest.  Sadly, along with the Service Inquiry Report, the Inquest has identified some missed opportunities in the care provided to Nicki. 

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“Nicki had a very significant history of mental health problems including numerous suicide attempts and this was recognised far too late. When Nicki made the difficult decision to reach out for help he did not receive it. Nicki suffered with depression and thoughts of suicide for several months before his death during which time he was under the care of the Army and their medical services.

“People affected by mental health are some of the most vulnerable and should be cared for at the highest standards.

“Sara and Jamie are understandably very tired following the inquest and need some time to process the evidence that they have heard. We’ll continue to support them at this difficult time.”