A FATHER who killed himself by jumping from the roof of a multi-storey car park was “let down” by mental health services, an inquest has ruled.

An inquest into the death of Terence Joseph Pimm concluded the 30-year-old, known as TJ to friends and family, was not properly assessed and adequate precautions were not taken to manage his risk of suicide.

TJ, from Dovercourt, jumped from the roof of the NCP car park in Osbourne Street, Colchester, on August 26 last year.

He had failed to appear for a bail hearing at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on August 23 and was listed as wanted on the Police National Computer with warning markers on his log for mental health, depression and stress and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On August 25, TJ’s father telephoned Essex Police to tell them his son’s whereabouts were unknown and that he was suicidal.

That evening TJ told his probation officer he had twice contemplated killing himself that day, even visiting the roof of the same car park from which he would later jump.

TJ’s officer took him to the accident and emergency department at Colchester General Hospital, but he was not fully assessed by a mental health nurse because he was deemed to be under the influence of alcohol and because of the active arrest warrant.

Attempts were made by TJ’s mother to contact Essex Police after leaving hospital, but TJ returned home without receiving any treatment.

He took his own life the next day.

Just weeks prior to his death, TJ was detained under the Mental Health Act after he threatened to kill himself at Romford train station.

He was taken to Goodmayes Hospital, in Ilford, on August 8, before being transferred to the Lakes mental health unit in Colchester.

TJ was assessed the next day by an approved mental health person and a psychiatrist who did not identify any mental health issues.

He was discharged after 12 hours.

Karon and Terence Pimm, TJ’s parents, said: “We would like to thank the jury for their thoughtfulness and consideration in listening to all the evidence and reaching their conclusion.

“We would also like to thank the coroner for the fair and balanced inquest.

“We wish to express our appreciation to NHS and police witnesses for their honesty and openness.

“Before this conclusion we felt guilty that TJ’s death was our fault but through the inquest we realised he various services that TJ came into contact with, and who we contacted ourselves to ask for help for him, should have been able to offer him the valuable support he needed but failed to do this.

“Now we know we tried to get him help and couldn’t get it.

“We are grateful to our legal team from Leigh Day and counsel Jim Duffy for their help, support and guidance.

"Without them would not have got this conclusion.”

Emma Jones, partner in law firm Leigh Day’s Human Rights team, said: “We welcome such a thorough investigation and we hope through this process we have identified areas of concern that need to be addressed to ensure people like TJ do not fall through the cracks.”