Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Gravesend man hangs himself after sickness benefits were cut

Victor Cuff had been drinking heavily before his death, inquest heard

Heather Saul
Friday 29 November 2013 08:11 EST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An unemployed man committed suicide by hanging himself because his sickness benefits had been cut, an inquest in Gravesend heard.

Victor Cuff, 59, had been drinking heavily before he hanged himself on 22 May. His body was found in his bedroom by his neighbour Colleen Gobel, who had noted police with concerns she had not seen Mr Cuff all day.

Ms Gobel told police he was struggling with depression and had been “feeling down” after his sickness benefits were cut, the News Shopper reported.

Detective Sergeant James Greenidge, of North Kent Police was called to Mr Cuff’s property at 6.11pm. He told the inquest: “It appeared he hanged himself”.

”There was evidence he was drunk.“

A post-mortem found the alcohol levels in his blood were four times the legal limit for driving and enough to induce a coma.

A verdict of suicide was recorded by Coroner Roger Hatch.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in