A GWENT farmer who killed himself by carbon monoxide poisoning may have changed his mind in the last moments of his life, an inquest heard. The hearing in Newport was told that George Willie Radnor, 57, had just split up with his partner of five years, Lucy Radnor, of Llanarth - who had previously been married to his son.

Mr Radnor was found dead in his van that was parked in a barn on his rented land at Rhiwglas Farm, Raglan.

Mr Radnor, a farmer and JCB driver, was discovered on July 30, just days after he had split up with Ms Radnor.

The inquest was told that Mr Radnor moved in with her after the break-up of her marriage to his son.

Wendy James, the deputy coroner for Gwent, said: "I'm satisfied Mr Radnor was finding it extremely difficult to come to terms with the separation.

"He was obviously very anxious. He was 57 and was sleeping rough in his van.

"It is apparent he intended to take his own life and he had switched on a petrol driven generator in the rear of his van.

"It further appears he had changed his mind and turned off the generator but unbeknown to him the effects of the carbon monoxide had already taken effect."

She said she was satisfied there was no third party involvement in the death.

Ms James said: "I have no doubt he turned on the generator to end his own life. His actions were deliberate and intentional."

She recorded a verdict that he killed himself while depressed. Ms Radnor told the inquest at Newport coroner's court yesterday that Mr Radnor had previously been her father-in-law and had come to live with her after the breakdown of her marriage.

She said: "A few days before the death I decided I didn't want him living with me anymore and he left.

"At no time did he give me concern that he would take his own life." The body was discovered by Ms Radnor's brother Richard Morris, who had last seen Mr Radnor alive on July 28.

PC Gareth Manley, of Abergavenny police, said the petrol generator and van engine were turned off when he examined the scene.

PC Manley said a rope with a noose at the end was seen hanging from a beam in the barn.

Inside the van were several surgical blades, a syringe containing dark liquid, and a bottle of white liquid. Coroner's officer Kenneth Le Prevost, giving evidence, said: "The appearance of the noose may give an indication of his state of mind following the domestic difficulties."

A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning.