JJB Sports chief executive was driven to suicide by business worries

The chief executive of Britain's biggest sportswear retailer, JJB Sports, hanged himself after becoming clinically depressed over the company's business troubles, an inquest was told yesterday.

Duncan Sharpe, who had four children and was the son-in-law of the company's founder and chairman, Dave Whelan, had been due to present JJB's interim results to the City three days after he was found hanging from a tree at Bolton by Bowland in the Ribble Valley near Clitheroe, Lancashire.

The announcement was due after a difficult three months that had seen the company's market value slump by a third, and Mr Sharpe, a former professional golfer, feared he would be held responsible, particularly if his psychiatric problems were disclosed – the inquest at Clitheroe was told.

Richard Haslam, a consultant psychiatrist at the Priory Hospital in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, where Mr Sharpe was being treated, said the businessman was distressed about his personal and business life and "expressed thoughts that life was not worth living". Dr Haslam said: "He did not want to remain in hospital. He was extremely fearful of the publicity if it was found out. He felt the health of the company could be threatened."

Mr Sharpe discharged himself on 23 September against medical advice, claiming he felt much better and would discuss the possibility of changing his role at JJB Sports.

On 3 October, Mr Sharpe returned to the clinic and admitted he was still suffering from depression. He agreed to a meeting on 10 October but was found dead on 7 October.

Mr Sharpe's GP, Zaman Ansar, confirmed the businessman's depression but said he also had a history of problems with kidney stones.

Mr Whelan told the inquest his son-in-law had written him a note, in which he said life was getting on top of him and he "could not take it any more". Mr Whelan said: "That gave me some concern and I spoke to him, and after I spoke to him I felt he was on the mend."

Recording a verdict of suicide, the coroner Michael Fingleton said it was tragic that Mr Sharpe's mind should have become so tortured. He said: "I can only begin to imagine the distress and grief left in his wake."