Debt-Ridden Student Toby Thorn Writes Suicide Note on Barclay's Bank Statement
A debt-ridden student was driven to suicide under the pressure of his mounting arrears, an inquest has ruled.
Toby Thorn, a former student at Anglia Ruskin University, ran up £5,000 in debts and had a £3,000 overdraft when he killed himself in July 2011.
When his body was discovered in a field, he was surrounded by bank statements and final demands from Barclays. Police also found a cylinder of helium and a half empty bottle of vodka next to his body.
The troubled 23-year-old wrote his suicide note on the back of one of the bank's letters. The message read: "Thank-you to all my friends. I appreciate all your support."
His mother Anne, who is now campaigning to raise awareness of the pressure that mounting debt is putting on young people, accused Barclays of failing her son.
She said: "The bank gave him a bigger overdraft but must have known he did not have a job and would struggle to pay the money back.
"It should have helped him but didn't. I don't think Toby could see a future and that is why he decided to kill himself. Young people can't find jobs so they can't see a way out of debt."
The promising computer student had been studying for a degree in computing in 2010 before dropping out midway through his second year.
He restarted his course in 2011 but left again in his final year to start a business with friends.
Anne, who is a trustee for the charity Papyrus - the Prevention of Young Suicide - said his financial burdens were unknown to family and friends before his death.
"He said university just wasn't for him so we looked at other options. I had no idea his debts were bothering him so much."
She continued: "Young people should be encouraged to reach out for help but debts are making them feel backed into a corner.
"Suicide is a permanent solution to what is often a temporary problem."
A Barclays spokesperson said: "We urge anyone experiencing money worries to contact us so we can provide support."
"We understand that each customer's needs will be unique to them and we will therefore treat each sympathetically. We also advise customer to seek free independent debt advice from organisations such as Citizens Advice, Consumer Credit Counselling Service and National Debtline."
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