A FORMER rugby player and cage fighter, who later became a residential worker, died after a long mental health battle, an inquest has heard.

Mark Stevens was found dead at his home in Rothbury Court, Bolton, on August 19, 2020, by his ex-partner and a friend.

He became well known in 2010 when he entered a cage fight at Bolton’s Ikon nightclub, having never fought before.

An inquest at Bolton Coroner’s Court heard the 49-year-old had been battling with mental health issues for a decade but they had become worse in the last four years.

His ex-partner, Shelly Toner, said they had been in an on-off relationship for nearly 17 years and had three children.

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The court heard how on the day of his death Mark picked up the children from Shelly before she went to work but that he had no food for them and felt as though he couldn’t properly provide for them.

Throughout the day he tried to get Shelly to pick up the children as his TV set wasn’t working and he was getting upset, telling Shelly: “I can’t give the kids anything any more. I’m just a useless dad”.

He sent upsetting texts to her with a similar message throughout the day and dropped off the children at her mother’s house.

Concerned, she got into contact with one of his friends and they went to his house around 7.45pm on the evening of August 19.

At the house, they found Mark’s body. She said after finding Mark “it all became a blur”.

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Mark was pronounced dead just after 8pm.

The court was told Mark’s mental health had deteriorated after Shelly broke up with him a few months before.

But he had previously told friends he had never tried to take his life as he always said “as long as he had the kids” he was fine.

His GP said Mark was on anti-depressants and had been referred to Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust but was discharged by them after not taking up any appointments, despite many offers. Coroner Timothy Brennand, senior coroner for Manchester West, returned a suicide conclusion as notes to family and friends, and one to police saying there were no drugs involved, were found beside him, along with a picture of him with his family.

* For support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123.

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