A FORMER chef in the Armed Forces committed suicide after finding himself facing repossession orders, an inquest has heard.

Christopher Small, of Wharton Street, in Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, was in debt at the time of death in November last year.

The 44-year-old father-of-one was found hanged inside his home.

County Durham and Darlington Coroner’s Court in Crook heard that Durham Police found several debt letters in Mr Small’s home following his death on November 29.

Giving evidence during the inquest, Detective Sergeant Graham Lowe, of South Durham CID, said Mr Small had served as a chef in the Armed Forces.

Mr Small had also worked as a chef in Darlington.

During his evidence, DS Lowe added: “There was a lot of debt letters that Christopher had had for a long time.”

Closing Mr Small’s inquest at County Durham and Darlington Coroner’s Court, senior coroner Andrew Tweddle, said: “Detective Sergeant Lowe confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.

“I have to be drawn to the conclusion – that I have absolutely no doubt about – and that is one of suicide.”