Worried inventor hanged himself

Henry John Brooks, known as Harry, was so worried about nuclear power that he tried to create an alternative source of energy, Bolton Coroners’ Court heard.

Mr Brooks, aged 60, gave up work five years ago due to ill health and sold his house in Lena Street, Halliwell.

He used the proceeds to set up his business Broat Ltd, rent a unit at Bolton Enterprise Centre, in Washington Street, Deane, and get to work inventing a perpetual motion energy generator.

His sister, Miriam Smethurst, told the inquest: “From a long time ago, when nuclear power was first introduced, he didn’t like the power stations.

He was so against it.

“That was why he was trying to save the world with the invention. He thought the nuclear problem would lead to the end of the world.”

But the inquest heard his money eventually ran out as he used it to pay his living expenses, fund his invention and register a patent.

He was in rent arrears, had credit card bills and an overdraft, and was “too proud” to ask his family for financial help.

Mr Brooks, of Duxbury Street, Halliwell, went to his unit at 8.30am on Saturday, May 12. He was found hanged at the unit by a security guard later that day. He had left three “scribbled” notes to family and friends.

One of the notes referred to the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan and fears about the nuclear plant.

Mr Brooks also left draft plans for his invention.

The inquest heard Mr Brooks had a history of depression and had attempted suicide in the past.

Deputy coroner, Alan Walsh, said: “It is likely that in despair and without being able to realise his invention, he went to his unit and took actions that caused his death.

“It coincided with events in the world, particularly the events in Japan, that would have increased his concern and frustration that he wasn’t going to be able to pursue and complete his invention that, in his own mind, may have saved the world.”

He concluded that Mr Brooks had taken his own life.