A 'GUINEA pig' doctor who was paid to take part in medical drug trials committed suicide after suffering from years of severe depression.

Bright Kevin Antony Valiant, 35, developed depression and ME - known as 'yuppy flu' - after taking interferon, drugs which can prevent cell growth and have been tested for use in cancer therapy.

At an inquest in Preston, coroner Mr Howard McCann said: "In taking part in these drug trials Kevin was technically being used as a guinea pig."

Kevin, of Albert Street, Chorley, volunteered to take part in the tests at Leicester University, where he was a medical student.

His father Henry Terence Valiant told the inquest that after his son had been taking the drug for some time he had begun to develop symptoms of depression and what he believed to be ME.

But he added that when his son complained to university officials about the effects the drug had on his health, he was told that he had signed a disclaimer, thus relinquishing his right to compensation.

On qualifying as a doctor Kevin worked as a house officer at various hospitals, including Preston and Chorley, before turning to psychiatric work, and a post at Pathways, in Bamber Bridge, where he worked with people with psychiatric problems.

Mr Valiant said: "His health went downhill and he became more and more fatigued, which moved him to depression. He consulted a psychiatrist and was given anti-depressants."

The court heard how Kevin had taken up martial arts in a bid to improve his health and had arranged to visit a spiritual healer on the south coast.

His life-long friend Julian Livesey, 30, of Fiddlers Lane, Clayton-le-Woods, told the inquest that there seemed to be a slight improvement in his friend's health shortly before his death.

He added: "A group of us had been to the Charter Theatre on Friday evening and I suggested that we should go to the pub for a drink.

"When I asked Kevin he said no - it was late and he wanted to get home."

Mr Livesey told the court that he had gone to his friend's house three times between Saturday, April 3, and Monday, April 5, but failed to get a reply.

He said: "This was not unusual because on many occasions he had been out walking or was in bed. It didn't cause me to be unduly concerned."

Mr Valiant told the court that after not hearing from his son he and his wife called at his house on Monday, April 5. He found Kevin dead in bed.

Police officer Karen Edwards, who attended the scene, said a note was found on the settee and there was no evidence of foul play.

Consultant pathologist Dr Helen Stringfellow told the court that Kevin had taken an overdose of two types of anti-depressants.

A verdict of suicide was recorded.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.