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Coroner's suicide strategy calls Coroner's suicide strategy calls
(about 1 hour later)
The Bridgend coroner has called for a national strategy to prevent young suicides as he held inquests into five people from the area.The Bridgend coroner has called for a national strategy to prevent young suicides as he held inquests into five people from the area.
He made his remarks as he heard the inquest into the death of Allyn Price, 24, who was found hanged at his parents' garage in Maesteg.He made his remarks as he heard the inquest into the death of Allyn Price, 24, who was found hanged at his parents' garage in Maesteg.
Hearings into four other deaths of young people were also being heard.Hearings into four other deaths of young people were also being heard.
Seventeen young people from Bridgend county are believed to have taken their lives since January 2006.Seventeen young people from Bridgend county are believed to have taken their lives since January 2006.
Speaking at the start of the inquests, coroner Philip Walters said: "I hope that these events in Bridgend will be a catalyst to give us a national suicide prevention strategy covering the whole of Wales for young deaths."Speaking at the start of the inquests, coroner Philip Walters said: "I hope that these events in Bridgend will be a catalyst to give us a national suicide prevention strategy covering the whole of Wales for young deaths."
The first inquest heard that traces of amphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine, diazepam and morphine had been found in Mr Price's body after his death in April last year.The first inquest heard that traces of amphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine, diazepam and morphine had been found in Mr Price's body after his death in April last year.
In the six months before his death, Mr Price had changed after going on holiday to Mexico and became "short-tempered" at times, the inquest was told.In the six months before his death, Mr Price had changed after going on holiday to Mexico and became "short-tempered" at times, the inquest was told.
The inquests into the deaths of Gareth Morgan, Jason Williams and Leigh Jenkins will be heard
On the night of Mr Price's death, his girlfriend Alisha Austin had spoken to him and told him she wanted to discuss their "relationship problems", the inquest was told.On the night of Mr Price's death, his girlfriend Alisha Austin had spoken to him and told him she wanted to discuss their "relationship problems", the inquest was told.
They had been together for five years and it had previously been "fabulous", she said.They had been together for five years and it had previously been "fabulous", she said.
She told the inquest: "He asked me if I would always be there for him. I said I would."She told the inquest: "He asked me if I would always be there for him. I said I would."
She added: "He told me: 'I have nothing to live for'. I said I would be there for him."She added: "He told me: 'I have nothing to live for'. I said I would be there for him."
Coroner Philip Walters has not linked the deaths of the 17 people
Coroner Philip Walters recorded a narrative that Mr Price killed himself when under the influence of drugs which "could well have affected his mood and judgement."Coroner Philip Walters recorded a narrative that Mr Price killed himself when under the influence of drugs which "could well have affected his mood and judgement."
The second inquest related to the death of Leigh Jenkins, 22, from Maesteg, who was found hanged at a friend's flat in June 2007.The second inquest related to the death of Leigh Jenkins, 22, from Maesteg, who was found hanged at a friend's flat in June 2007.
Mr Jenkins had lived four doors from Allyn Price and had been extremely upset following his death four weeks earlier, the inquest heard.Mr Jenkins had lived four doors from Allyn Price and had been extremely upset following his death four weeks earlier, the inquest heard.
He had been three times over the drink-drive limit and had amphetamines in his system when he died.He had been three times over the drink-drive limit and had amphetamines in his system when he died.
Recording a narrative verdict, Mr Walters said: "Leigh Jenkins hung himself while under the influence of alcohol, MDMA and MDA and the cause of death is, as given, asphyxia due to a ligature around the neck."Recording a narrative verdict, Mr Walters said: "Leigh Jenkins hung himself while under the influence of alcohol, MDMA and MDA and the cause of death is, as given, asphyxia due to a ligature around the neck."
The coroner has previously said he does not believe there are any links between the deaths in the Bridgend borough. 'No apparent reason'
The inquests of Jason Williams, Andrew O'Neil and Gareth Morgan will be held later. Meanwhile, at the inquest into the death of Jason Williams, the coroner said there was no apparent reason why the 21-year-old had hanged himself in his garage in North Cornelly, near Bridgend.
Lorry driver Mr Williams had been found by his fiancée Sian Davies in August last year. She described him as a "very, very shy person" and an "introvert".
A post-mortem examination found traces of medication for back pain but nothing else which could have affected his judgement, the inquest was told.
Mr Walters recorded a verdict of suicide and said: "Unfortunately this is one of those cases which I come across on a fairly regular basis where we can find, despite investigations by the police, no apparent reason why this event has occurred."
Threats
The inquest into the death of Andrew O'Neil, 20, heard that he had been threatened over money before his death in September 2007.
His sister, Charlene O'Neil, told the court two boys had come looking for her brother and one had threatened to shoot him.
She said Mr O'Neil, who was found hanged at an empty house in Nantymoel, had been acting "edgy and nervous" in the three months before his death.
A verdict of suicide was recorded by Mr Walters who commented that Mr O'Neil's family were "obviously close knit."
The coroner has said he does not believe there are any links between the deaths in the Bridgend borough.
The inquest into the death of Gareth Morgan was also due to be held.