THE girlfriend of a promising chef who took his own life said she would never have let him out of her sight if she had known what he planned to do.

Beth Lower sobbed as details of the final days of Carl Abrams' life were heard at his inquest in Taunton.

Mr Abrams, 24, was found dead by police when they broke into his flat in Cheddon Road, Taunton, after a worried Miss Lower called them.

The couple had argued in the days before his death, as Mr Abrams, who was a sous chef at The Castle Hotel, returned home drunk on a couple of occasions, the inquest was told.

Miss Lower tried to patch things up, but said: "He wasn't remotely interested in having a conversation with me and swore at me."

She decided to stay with her father for a couple of days because "we were both sick of arguing".

On Friday, March 23, he texted to tell Miss Lower he loved her, but she became worried when he didn't read any of the texts she sent him and failed to turn up for work.

She went round to his flat on the Saturday and contacted the police when she discovered the door was bolted from the inside. Officers forced entry and discovered Mr Abrams's body.

Miss Tower told the inquest in a written statement that her boyfriend used to feel down about once a month, although he refused medication when he visited his GP.

She added: "We'd just talk about it until he felt better."

Although he did not feel low in the six months leading up to his death, he would get angry at times, Miss Lower said.

But she added: "If I'd have thought he would have done anything like this I wouldn't have let him out of my sight."

Mr Abrams's father, Steve, visited The Castle after the tragedy and was shown CCTV footage after his son's final movements after work on the Friday.

He seemed happy drinking with workmates at the hotel and was spotted walking part of the way home with two colleagues in the early hours of the following day.

Post mortem tests showed he was just over twice the drink drive limit.

Tony Williams, senior coroner for Somerset, recorded a conclusion of suicide, with the cause of death hanging.

If you have been affected by this article, you can call Taunton Samaritans on 01823-288998, the national freephone 116123, e-mail jo@samaritans.org or visit 16 Wood Street, Taunton, 9am to 9pm.

Mind in Taunton and West Somerset’s helpline can be reached from Tuesday to Sunday, 8pm-11pm on 01823-276 892.

Cruse Bereavement Care can be reached on 0808-8081677.