Great Melton man took own life after assault traumatised him

Aran Bradbury, who was 34, tragically died in hospital four days after being found unresponsive in his home in Great Melton.

An inquest into his death heard that on three occasions in the last year of his life, he had suffered assaults, which had left him "traumatised".

Police were made aware of all three assaults - including one which saw him spend time in a specialist burns unit after suffering chemical burns.

However, the constabulary took no further action due to Mr Bradbury declining to cooperate with any investigations or raise any safeguarding concerns with them, the court heard.

In a statement read to the court, his mother Amanda Bradbury said that after the first assault, in June 2022, he had refused to return to his home and later relocated.

She said: "He said he felt unsafe and unable to return to his home and never wanted to return to the road."

Norfolk Coroner's Court (Image: Newsquest)

AMBULANCE DELAYS

Meanwhile, the court heard concerns about ambulance delays in responding to a call for his welfare made on the day he was found unresponsive.

On August 21 last year, a worker from substance abuse charity Change, Grow, Live phoned an ambulance on Mr Bradbury's behalf after growing concerned about him during a telephone conversation.

The worker said that during the call he appeared low in mood and was "monosyllabic". 

Her concerns were escalated when she asked if he had any intention to harm himself and he responded by saying: "If I did, I wouldn't tell you".

But when she called for an ambulance, his call was given category 3 priority - with a target response time of two hours.

The court heard this is the maximum priority calls relating to mental ill health can be initially given, unless certain conditions are made.

The call regarding Mr Bradbury was only escalated once a clinician reviewing the job was unable to make contact with him.

When paramedics arrived at his home, they found Mr Bradbury slumped behind a door having taken an act to harm himself.

They did not arrive until more than three hours after the initial call was made.

Emergency workers were twice able to bring Mr Bradbury around, but he had suffered two cardiac arrests during the incident.

He was then taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, where it was discovered he had suffered catastrophic brain injuries and he died on August 25.

Assistant coroner Christopher Leach concluded that Mr Bradbury had taken an action that ended his life - but that his intentions were not clear.

He said: "Mrs Bradbury's evidence addressed a number of serious assaults Aran was victim of which caused a series of injuries between June 2022 and August 2023.

"So much so, that this violence and intimidation left him traumatised.

"There is evidence he was trying to make positive changes in his life so I am satisfied there is insufficient evidence on his intentions."

LOVE OF ANIMALS

Aran Bradbury, who died in August 2023 (Image: Much Loved) During her statement to the court, Mrs Bradbury paid tribute to her son, describing him as "the most fun, joyous and lovely child".

She said he had a particular love and connection with animals, fondly remembering a time when a timid mole had approached him and allowed him to gently hold it in his hands.

She added: "He had a generosity of spirit but was much better at looking after others than himself.

"Our family's loss is immeasurable." 

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