Mark William Jacka: Jobless dad-to-be hanged himself over stress of applying for benefits

Tragic Mark, 26, had been upset about having to borrow money from his pregnant girlfriend and was struggling to obtain Jobseeker's Allowance

Distraught: Mark's mum said he had hopes of setting up his own decorating business before his death

An unemployed dad-to-be tragically hanged himself after becoming "stressed" by his struggle to fill in benefits forms correctly, a court has heard.
Tragic Mark William Jacka, 26, was expecting his first child with girlfriend Erin Weston but was having problems getting help from the state, an inquest was told.



He found it difficult to fill in the forms, his family said, and he was upset at having to borrow money from Erin.
Mark was found hanged at his home in Tregaron, near Aberystwyth, the day after visiting the Jobcentre, his inquest heard.
Coroner Peter Brunton recorded a verdict of suicide, saying: "He was not well, but was stressed about completing forms promptly.



"He had no money and had to borrow from his girlfriend. He was only 26 years old and his girlfriend was expecting his child.
"These are very sad circumstances and I can only offer my profound sympathy to his family."

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Help: The Department for Work and Pensions said Mark did complete a Jobseeker's form

"In light of all these factors I can think of no other reasonable explanation than Mr Jacka intended to take his own life by these actions."
Only a few weeks before his death, Mark had proudly uploaded a scan of his unborn baby onto Facebook.
But the inquest heard how he had told girlfriend Erin he was feeling unwell and felt like "ending it all".
She told the coroner she last saw Mark on February 8 when she lent him some money.
She said: "He was quite ill and complaining of man flu.
"He was quite down, but he said it was because he was having stress at the Job Centre. He was stressing over forms."
The inquest heard that Mark had previously threatened to end his life.
Erin added: "He threatened to end it all quite a few times. If we fell out or had an argument he said he couldn't do it anymore and he might as well kill himself.
"I didn't take his last message seriously. I thought it was just like all the others."
When she could not contact him on 10 February this year, Erin contacted Mark's friends and visited Tregaron to try and find him.

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Depressed: Mark was upset at having to borrow money and claim benefits, the court heard

When she failed to find him, she phoned the police.
Officers found Mark's body after gaining entry to his home by removing a window with the help of friend and landlord Cleddan Williams.
Mark's collie dog had been shut in the kitchen, the court heard.
The coroner listened as the court was told that Mr Williams did everything he could as he was "desperate to help his friend".
Mr Jacka's mother, Pamela Jacka, stated he had been trying to sort out his benefits forms, which he found difficult to complete.
But Mrs Jacka added that her son had not been depressed - and had been making plans to start his own painting and decorating business.
Yesterday, the DWP confirmed that Mark Jacka had filled out an online form for Jobseeker's Allowance.
When they tried to ask him to come in and see them, they struggled to get hold of him. Finally he visited them for advice on the day before he killed himself.
They stressed that despite claims Mr Jacka had money worries, on that day they also gave him a financial advance to tide him over.
A DWP spokesman added: "Suicide is a sensitive and complex issue and our sympathies are with Mr Jacka's family.
"Mr Jacka came into the Jobcentre and was given help to complete his application for benefits. The claim was approved and he also received a benefit advance."