A MAN who suffered sexual abuse as a child attempted to take his own life countless times before finally succeeding, an inquest heard yesterday.

Ian Fraser, 43, was found dead on August 19 last year after taking an overdose at his home in Roxby Avenue, Middlesbrough.

His psychiatrist, Dr Joseph Reilly, told Teesside Coroner's Court that Mr Fraser had suffered from depression for many years following the death of his parents. He had been attending counselling sessions to help him comes to terms with childhood abuse.

He said Mr Fraser had tried to kill himself many times before, including throwing himself off a bridge in 1997, but had seemed positive in the weeks before his death.

Pathologist Dr Campbell Ritchie said Mr Fraser had taken a cocktail of at least 48 different tablets. He left a suicide note.

Coroner Michael Sheffield recorded a verdict of suicide