Mother's tribute to 36-year-old handyman Wayne Skipper

Wayne Skipper, from Parklands, off Green Lane Estate in Pudding Norton, near Fakenham, died at hospital three weeks after being found unwell inside his caravan on June 17 last year. 

The friend who found him – aware that Mr Skipper was type one diabetic – tried to administer sugar to him before calling 999. 

He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital via an ambulance, where he died on July 8.  

An inquest into his death took place at Norfolk Coroner’s Court at County Hall, Norwich, on January 10. 

In a statement read out in court, Mr Skipper’s mother, Jean Frost, paid tribute to her son. 

She said: “My son Wayne was a very strong-headed man. 

“Wayne had a lot of friends who cared for him and loved him dearly. 

“My son liked spending time with his friends and all of the family thought a lot of Wayne. 

Norfolk Coroner's Court (Image: Newsquest)

“He always made time for his family. 

“He also liked to get his hands dirty. 

“My son enjoyed mechanical work, whether it was working on cars, motorbikes, or buildings. He also enjoyed being a handyman. 

“He always found something to do, such as taking things apart, and he was always fixing broken mobile phones. 

“He was always crafting and making things. 

“Wayne was special, but in his own way.” 

Evidence from his GP at Fakenham Medical Practice revealed that Mr Skipper had “poorly controlled type one diabetes with a history of drug and alcohol abuse and depression”. He was also diagnosed with ADHD. 

The primary medical cause of death was given as multiple organ failure. 

Area coroner Samantha Goward concluded that Mr Skipper died a “drug-related death”.

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