A DEPRESSED man who told mental health workers he had components to make a home-made gun killed himself after getting no reply from a crisis helpline.

Teesside Coroner's Court heard how William Sleightholme, 52, was receiving help from a crisis team for long-standing depression before his death in October last year.

The unemployed electrician, of Victoria Avenue, Norton, Teesside, told carers on four occasions he had the parts to build a weapon, including copper piping, and he had suicidal thoughts.

During the early hours of October 20 last year, Mr Sleightholme contacted the crisis centre, based at the University Hospital of North Tees.

The helpline, which should have been manned throughout the night, put Mr Sleightholme's call through to an answering machine, when the nurse on duty was called away.

Gillian Flemming, a registered mental nurse, who was on duty that evening, should have answered the phone but was called away to another incident at about 11pm.

She did not receive the message from a distressed Mr Sleightholme - which he left at 12.50am - until 1.55am. When the nurse tried to call him back, there was no answer.

A follow-up call was not made until about 9am, when Karen Walters, a self-harm nurse, started her shift at the crisis centre.

After a number of attempts to call Mr Sleightholme, she informed the police at about 1pm.

Two officers attended Mr Sleightholme's address at about 4pm but got no reply.

After speaking to a senior officer, it was decided they should not attempt to enter the property in the light of the threat of a weapon.

PC Gary Peacock arrived at the address at about 11.30pm and gained access through a neighbour's garden. He found the body of Mr Sleightholme on the floor next to the home-made gun.

He died from a single chest wound after a ball bearing penetrated his heart.

Deputy Teesside Coroner Gordon Hetherington recorded an open verdict.

He added: "I'm pleased to know that now, when someone contacts the crisis centre, they can speak to someone instead of an answering machine.

"Lessons have clearly been learned by this tragedy."