A 42-year-old man took his own life in order to protect his family, fearing intrusive thoughts could lead him to harm his children.

An inquest at Archbishops' Palace, Maidstone, today heard that James Johnstone, of Ringwood Road, Maidstone, had suffered from a long history of mental health problems prior to his death on June 5.

In the weeks beforehand he had contacted the NHS mental health services, explaining his mental state and asking for help - speaking to a trainee psychologist on May 11 and the community team on May 13.

He had also begun sleeping in his garage in a further effort to protect his family, should his mental state deteriorate.

A mental health review had been conducted on May 23, but no further action or appointment had been arranged, and Mr Johnstone was found hanged in a wooded area near Boughton Monchelsea on the morning of June 5.

Notes were found from Mr Johnstone apologising to the police and to his wife, explaining he had battled his thoughts and was worried he would act on them.

He explained he couldn't live without medication but the medication itself had taken its toll and he "felt dead inside". In another note he told his wife he imagined a future for her living in Australia and that he had never met anyone with so much determination in his life as her.

• For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time or click here to visit the website.

Assessing the evidence, Coroner James Dillon added: "From what we've heard he was trying to achieve balance. He needed medication but medication was having an impact.

"We have this man who continues to suffer intrusive thoughts.

"He's taken himself out of the family home and into the garage to protect his family because these intrusive thoughts might potentially cause harm to the family."

Mr Dillon gave a formal conclusion of suicide, adding that he took his own life "out of concern to protect his family from risk of harm."

Speaking after the inquest, James' mother-in-law Jane Frogley said he had been let down, and noted the pyschologist dealing with him was a trainee.

"The mental health team failed him." she said. "They've got someone who's ringing them and said I'm having intrusive thoughts.

"Anyone who says 'I may harm my children' needs help. That's what makes it so sad.

"He seemed to be trying to get help. If someone says 'I've got a week-old baby and a two-year-old child and I'm worried I'm going to hurt them', you do something.

"Now there's two small boys and and my daughter without a husband and father, and they are responsible.

"He did everything he could."

A spokesperson for Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust said: “Our deepest sympathies are with Mr Johnstone’s family.

"We are conducting a thorough internal investigation into the care we provided Mr Johnstone and until that is complete and shared with Mr Johnstone’s family and the coroner, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further.”