A FATHER took his own life after repeated pleas to be admitted to a mental health unit were ignored.

Gareth Grainger’s mother, Susan, said her child would still be alive if he had been kept under observation in the Lakes, part of Colchester General Hospital.

Mr Grainger, whose only son Bailey is seven, made an appointment at the unit on April 30, because he was depressed and wanted to be admitted. He was seen but sent home.

The following day, he turned on the gas in his flat in Maple Way, Berechurch, and refused to let in police, after neighbours raised the alarm.

His mother spoke to him on a three-way line, with a police negotiator listening in, and persuaded him to come out.

He was taken to The Lakes, only for assessors to decide once again he did not need a bed. Instead, they phoned his mother at 1am to ask if could stay at her house in the Dutch Quarter, in Colchester.

She persuaded the unit to keep him in overnight, but he was sent home in a taxi the following afternoon.

Mrs Grainger was in contact with her 27-year-old son throughout the next week. She said he seemed “up and down”, but had been seeing friends and trying to resume a normal life.

On Friday morning, he failed to answer his phone. She went to his flat to find him dead. The exact cause of his death has yet to be officially confirmed by police.

Mr Grainger’s brother Darron said: “This could have been avoided if the Lakes had given him what he asked for.

“They said they assessed him and he had no mental issues, but surely, if someone wants help and is having suicidal feelings, they should be looked at properly.”

Mrs Grainger said: “Gareth was happy the police had taken him up to the Lakes and said he felt safe there and would be able to pull through.

“They just sent him home with some Diazepam. I knew there was a risk something might happen.”

* Susan Dallas-Ramwell, spokes-man for North Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Lakes, said: “The trust is sorry to hear of this unfortunate incident.

“We take all incidents affecting patient and public safety very seriously and are undertaking a thorough investigation of the facts in this case.

“We are in touch with the deceased’s family.

“Our investigation report and its findings will be shared with the family and the coroner.

“Our thoughts go to the deceased’s family and friends at this sad time.”