Brewer took own life to end his suffering

A Black Country brewer shot himself to end his suffering after being diagnosed with cancer, an inquest heard today.

Daniel Arthur Batham, a former director of Brierley Hill's family-run Batham Breweries, was discovered by his wife Dorothy in the garage of their home in Bridgnorth Road, Wollaston, Stourbridge.

Dudley Coroner's Court heard Mr Batham, who was 82, shot himself through the chest.

Mr Batham, known as Arthur, was diagnosed with tongue and throat cancer in November last year and was being fed through a tube to his stomach at the time of his death, the inquest heard.

A statement from Dorothy Batham described how she discovered her husband's body shortly before he was due for medical appointments.

Mr Batham's son Matthew gave evidence at the inquest. He said: "The manner of dad's death was a massive shock. But he had been very ill."

Black Country coroner Robin Balmain recorded a gunshot wound as the cause of death and said Mr Batham took his life after suffering from cancer.

Acting Sergeant Craig Rollinson, from Stourbridge, was one of the first people at the scene on January 21. He said: "We discovered Mr Batham lying in the garage with a gunshot wound to his chest and a handgun lying nearby."

Mr Batham, a former firearms collector, had previously disposed of most of his weapons apart from the Colt US military handgun he used to take his life. "The family were not aware he had kept his handgun. Although this was a major incident there was nothing to suggest any evidence of foul play," acting Sgt Rollinson added.

"The weapon was seized by officers and detained at a property store at Stourbridge police station."

Mr Balmain said: "It seems Mr Batham chose to take his life in preference to suffering any further from this nasty disease."

The brewery was founded by Mr Batham's grandfather, Daniel Batham Senior, in 1882. Its headquarters is The Vine Inn in Delph Road, Brierley Hill, also known as the Bull and Bladder.