A SAVAGE and unprovoked attack cost a young dad his self-confidence - and ultimately his life.

Mr John Barry Seddon suffered severe facial injuries and scarring in December (pictured) when he was set upon by five thugs outside a pub in Heywood.

An inquest in Bury heard how the 21-year-old former Ainsworth man lost his self-confidence as a result. He couldn't hold down a steady job and faced spiralling debts.

Mr Seddon was found hanged at his rented home in Deal Street, Bury, on September 21 - the day he was due to appear at County Court to answer a summons by the Halifax Building Society over unpaid debts.

Coroner Mr Barrie Williams was told on Tuesday how Mr Seddon suffered facial paralysis following the attack and began to suffer mood swings.

Mr Seddon's mother, Lorraine, of Edgeworth Avenue, Ainsworth, said: "He changed after the attack. Whatever it was, was in him at the time he died."

Miss Michelle Johnson, Mr Seddon's girlfriend and mother of his son, Jordan, said the former Ainsworth County Primary and Bury CE High School pupil was working as a security guard at the time of the assault but gave up his job soon afterwards. He never had another full-time job. She said: "The debts got worse. He was worried and at one point he did not think he could provide for us."

On the morning of his death, as his girlfriend left their house to collect benefits from the Post Office, Mr Seddon told her that he was not going to attend the court hearing.

When she returned 30 minutes later, she heard wheezing from the attic. She struggled to remove the access panel and paramedics later found Mr Seddon lying across the opening with an exercise rope around his neck.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Mr Williams described Mr Seddon as a young man who took the responsibilities of his relationship and the support of his child very seriously.

"One of the particular problems, however, seems to be his change of character as a result of the assault. That affected his confidence and therefore his job seeking which led to financial difficulties, particularly in relation to repaying a debt to the Halifax Building Society.

"I believe that the financial anxiety of his court appearance, to discuss his debt, became too much for him and he made a quick decision to take his life."

After the inquest, it was revealed two men are to appear for sentencing at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester on November 3 for their part in the assault.

Richard Frank and Steven Mullan, both from Heywood, had previously pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm on Mr Seddon.

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