Millionaire 'a violent control freak'
The millionaire who shot his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself was "a violent control freak" - an inquest was told this afternoon.
Businessman Howard Worthington gunned down girlfriend Julie Rees, 47, at their home in Brewood, injuring her.
He then fled to a field behind their home in Hyde Mill Lane and shot himself dead in the head.
Catering boss Mrs Rees, who was shot twice and spent a month recovering from her injuries in hospital, attended the inquest at Cannock Coroner's Court.
The court was told that police found a document on his computer entitled '10 common methods of suicide' with the top method being 'shooting.'
Coroner Andrew Haigh recorded a verdict of suicide after hearing about Worthington's financial worries and failed relationships.
The court was also told that Miss Rees had thrown him out of their home a month before the shooting, following an incident where he threatened to kill her.
Mr Haigh said: "I am satisfied that he did intend to kill himself. He was clearly in an emotional state before he died."
In a report to the Coroner, Worthington's fourth wife Denise described him as a "Jekyll and Hyde character and violent control freak" when drunk.
Officers also found an envelope at his home containing a letter to his daughter Layla Worthington, 24, a sales manager from Tettenhall.
In which he said: "You have a happy life. Sorry to end it like this, but I just could not cope."
