A father-of-two took his own life following a series of problems in his personal life, a coroner has ruled.

Richard Fielden, a teacher at Keswick School for nearly 20 years, was found dead at High Dyke in Mosser, near Cockermouth, on September 30 last year.

During an inquest into his death, coroner David Roberts heard how 51-year-old Mr Fielden had felt isolated following the break up of two different relationships.

Mr Roberts was told that following the separation from his wife Alison in 2012 – who he formally divorced just days before his death – Mr Fielden began a relationship with Fay Lakin. However, the couple split in 2014, but continued to remain friends and were working on a book together.

Mr Roberts was also told that Mr Fielden, who had been a member of the King’s Church in Cockermouth, had felt shunned by some members following the separation from his wife and had also accumulated more than £30,000 of debt.

Giving evidence at the inquest, Gregory Matteini, a counsellor for First Step – a mental health service which provides help to people with depression and anxiety disorders – said that he first met Mr Fielden in August 2012 after he had separated from Alison.

Mr Fielden then referred himself back to First Step in June 2015.

“He said he had suicidal thoughts but did not intend to take his own life,” Mr Matteini said.

Both Mr Matteini and Linda Carruthers, a member of the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s community mental health team, did not believe that Mr Fielden needed to be referred to the Crisis team.

During a meeting with Mr Matteini on August 18, Mr Fielden did not say that he had attempted to take his own life just the day before.

“He appeared to be fatigued during that meeting,” Mr Matteini said.

Roger Bye, pastor at the King’s Church, where Mr Fielden had been an active member until his separation, also spoke at the inquest.

He said: “Richard didn’t have any contact with the church between 2012 and 2015. He came back and wanted to speak on September 20 but we thought it was in the best interests that he didn’t.”

Mr Fielden’s father, Tony Fielden, said: “He was a likeable person to be around and was a skilled craftsman. He had been forgiven by many people but he could not forgive himself.”

Mr Roberts concluded that Mr Fielden, who was found hanged, committed suicide.

Anyone seeking support can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) on 0300 111 5065.