A MAN took his own life after feeling victimised by the police, an inquest has heard.

Oxford Coroner’s Court yesterday heard how Antony Francis, from Manor Road, Wantage, hanged himself in the woods along the footpath from Wantage to Letcombe Regis on August 21.

The 35-year-old was discovered the day he was due to appear in Oxford Magistrates Court for a charge of ‘annoyance to the public network’.

At the inquest his family and friends described how Mr Francis, who had a history of mental health issues, had tried to complain to police and the Crown Prosecution Service multiple times about issues regarding police visiting him over fears for his welfare.

His mum Karen Francis said all of this contributed to him becoming increasingly frustrated and anxious ahead of the court case.

At the inquest, she said before he died he had expressed his frustrations that his views were not being listened to.

Ms Francis said: “He felt harassed and that caused severe anxiety and made him very ill.”

“If trying to report a crime to the public is a nuisance to the network then I have little faith in the justice system.

“He was not a criminal, ask anyone that knew him, they would all tell you Antony would help anyone.”

Ms Francis said her son felt ‘little point speaking and trying to gain justice’.

Assistant coroner, Nicholas Graham, recorded a conclusion of suicide and passed on his condolences to the family.