Missed opportunities highlighted after farmer’s tragic death

An inquest has found that a Devon farmer who took his own life did so months after police returned his legally-owned firearms, despite several chances to reassess whether he should have them.

Richard Haddock, 66, died at his farm in June 2023. His guns had originally been taken by police in 2021 after a friend raised concerns about his wellbeing. They were later returned in November 2022.

Exeter Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Haddock died just two days after pleading guilty to six Environment Agency (EA) permit breaches, offences dating back between 2010 and 2020. Police representatives said they had not been told about the EA’s prosecution, even though the agency had shared details of the case. The coroner said this information could have influenced the decision to hand back his weapons.

Coroner Alison Longhorn concluded the death was suicide and said she would be issuing a Prevention of Future Deaths report to Devon and Cornwall Police because she believed there were still risks within the force’s firearms licensing procedures.

The hearing was told that Mr Haddock was awaiting sentencing under the Proceeds of Crime Act and that he was extremely anxious about the possibility of going to prison. His wife, Caroline Haddock, said he had been struggling with depression, experiencing fluctuating moods, and that she had feared he might harm himself or her.

Ms Longhorn said there had been several “missed opportunities” by the firearms licensing unit to reassess whether he was still a suitable gun owner, particularly given the ongoing criminal investigation. She noted that the department appeared “entirely unaware” of the EA prosecution, describing the lack of communication and inadequate internal processes as a significant failing.

Inspector Mitch Wallace, who manages the firearms licensing team, told the inquest that information about the EA case either never reached the department or was never recorded. She accepted that knowledge of the prosecution might have changed the decision to return Mr Haddock’s guns.

The court also heard that Mr Haddock and his wife had repeatedly requested their return during the period they were held by police.

Mark Rice, an EA area director, confirmed that Mr Haddock had admitted allowing waste to be dumped on his land for financial gain. He said the agency had not been aware he was a firearms holder and that there had never been any concern for staff safety.

Following the coroner’s findings, Mrs Haddock described her husband’s death as “completely unnecessary” and expressed hope that lessons would be learned to prevent similar tragedies.

Photo credit: Richard Haddock