An inquest heard the well-known NFU leader faced bankruptcy, divorce and Environment Agency prosecution, and that police were unaware of criminal proceedings when they returned his guns
Prominent Devon farmer Richard Haddock tragically took his own life eight months after police returned his legally-held firearms, an inquest has heard. Mr Haddock, 66, ended his life at his Churston farm shop near Brixham in June 2023.
Mr Haddock was a well-known figure in Torbay’s farming community and a staunch advocate for farmers’ rights. He was a leading member of the National Farmers’ Union in the South West and frequently led protests against fuel costs and bans on meat imports.
Exeter Coroner’s Court heard that police had confiscated Haddock’s guns in November 2021 due to concerns about his mental state and a series of highly stressful events in his life.
However, Alison Longhorn, the Devon Area coroner, was informed that Haddock and his wife requested the return of the guns, which, after some delay, was granted.
The inquest heard that the weapons were returned, but police were not aware that Haddock was facing prosecution by the Environment Agency following a lengthy investigation, reports Devon Live.
Police Inspector Mitch Wallace, a firearms licensing manager, stated that their department was neither sent nor filed information about the criminal proceedings. She said: “If we had been made aware it may have impacted the decision to return the guns.”
She said he was bankrupt after losing a long term dispute with Churston Golf Club in south Devon which ended in the High Court and Haddock paying out a lot of money. They lost their farm in Kingswear and became tenant farmers at Churston where the EA offences were committed.
Just two days after admitting to six charges of contravening Environment Agency permits between 2010 and 2020, Mr Haddock shot himself. He was awaiting sentencing and a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, and he feared imprisonment.
However, the inquest also heard that he was grappling with numerous other pressures, including bankruptcy, divorce, and a health scare where he feared he might have cancer.
She shared that her husband of three decades held a senior position in the NFU and served on both Torbay and Brixham Councils. She revealed that he had been declared bankrupt after losing a protracted dispute with Churston Golf Club in south Devon, which culminated in a High Court case and resulted in Haddock paying out a substantial sum.
The couple lost their farm in Kingswear and became tenant farmers at Churston, where the EA offences took place. Mrs Haddock stated: “He thought the EA were making an example of him.”
She said her husband felt it was “deeply unfair” that the EA were targeting the “small guys” and showed no interest in confronting “the big guys like the building companies”.
She noted that he became “obsessed” with the EA case and spent his time playing the lottery, searching for farms, and feeding birds.
He made regular Sunday visits to a family friend. On the day he took his own life, this friend had told him she didn’t want to see him as frequently, to which Haddock responded: “If you feel that way, I’m off.”
The friend expressed her shock and guilt over Haddock’s death, saying she had no idea he would be gone just hours later and ‘felt terrible it happened’.
He had sought advice from a GP and was scheduled to have a face-to-face consultation the day after his tragic death.
Dr Longman revealed she was aware he possessed a firearms licence but emphasised he showed no signs of mental health problems or suicidal thoughts and appeared focused on future plans.
Environment Agency area director Mark Rice informed the inquest that Mr Haddock had confessed in court to permitting waste disposal on his property for “financial gain”.
He confirmed the EA was unaware of his firearms ownership but stressed there was no perceived danger to their personnel.
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