A MUCH-loved father-of-two took his own life on New Year's Eve, an inquest heard.

Diabetic Lee Sweeting was only 34-years-old when he died at his home on Fife Street in Barrow on December 31 last year. A post-mortem found that he had overdosed on insulin.

The hearing was told by Mr Sweeting's mother Tracy Tickle that he found it difficult around Christmas time after splitting up with his wife.

She said he had put on a brave face for his children because he was spending the festive period with his wife and her family.

Wife Lindsey Sweeting told the inquest, held at Cockermouth Coroner's Court, that earlier in their relationship he had previously being saving to buy a house, which he eventually went on to do, but Mr Sweeting 'always struggled with debt'. 

"We tried to save up but we had to use the money to pay off his debts," she said. “We shared custody of the children and we remained friends after the split.”

Mrs Sweeting said he drank heavily at times and was previously on anti-depressants.

Mr Sweeting, a BAE Systems sheet metal worker, had a told close friend and work colleague Michael Downing he had almost taken an overdose a month prior to his death, but said he would not do it because of his two boys.

Mr Downing said: “I was really shocked and upset when I found out he had died.”

His family began to become concerned for his welfare because he did not answer his phone on the night of his death, the inquest heard.

His wife and his mother reported their concerns to the police who forced entry into his house and found his body as well as an apology note to his children.

Mrs Tickle said her son was was born at Furness General Hospital and grew up in Dalton.

“He had been diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 14," she said. "He was given an Epipen and taught how to use it.

“He moved to Barrow with his wife at the age of 22. He had his first child in 2010 then his second child was born in 2013.”

Coroner Kirsty Gomersal found Mr Sweeting died as a result of suicide.