A FORMER National Hunt jockey from Marlborough who was bankrupt and lost his home took his own life after leaving a note saying he had 'done something silly,' an inquest heard yesterday.

Gloucestershire Coroners' Court heard the note was discovered by James Banks' boss after he failed to turn up for work at a Cotswolds stables where he had been head lad since his final race two years earlier.

Mr Banks, 36, was a former pupil of St John's in Marlborough, and had previously trained in Manton.

He was living in a cottage provided by his boss, Jane Arnold, where she found the note on the morning of February 3.

In the note, he asked the finder not go to upstairs and to call the police.

Ms Arnold said in a statement to the inquest he would normally turn up on time at 5.50am but that morning he didn’t do so at 9am Ms Arnold went to the cottage in Naunton, to find him.

She said she followed the instructions on the note and called the police while waiting outside until officers arrived who found him dead upstairs with a large handwritten note dated Oct 12th 2019 in which he outlined his “personal struggles”.

Police were satisfied the death was not suspicious.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Gloucestershire coroner Katie Skerrett said: “He explains that he’d lost his home and that he had been made bankrupt. There are clear references to suicidal thinking. It looks like he had been having these thoughts for some time but had not sought any help.'

"He stated that he was disappointed with himself as he had made a mess of everything.

"It looks like he couldn’t cope anymore and he apologises to those dearest to him."

The coroner added: "It seems the only help he requested was from his GP, who diagnosed him as being depressed. He had not sought help from mental illness services."

The inquest heard that Banks had gone to France to rebuild his life with his girlfriend, but this relationship broke down and he returned to Britain.

The court was told that Banks had a history of alcohol abuse, but he had been dry for some time when he died.

A toxicologist confirmed to the inquest that there were no drugs or alcohol in Banks' system.

Banks, whose grandfather Terry Stringer was a Flat jockey and his father Martin an assistant and pre-trainer, rode 85 winners in a career that started on the Flat and developed as an amateur rider before graduating to the senior ranks.

Tom Scudamore said: "James was a lot of fun to be around and was extremely popular in the weighing room. You certainly wouldn't have called him shy and retiring and he was quite a character.

"He was one of those people you were always happy to see. He was a good jockey and gave everything a ride."

In his blog, Manton trainer George Baker said: "Banksy" was a mainstay of our team at Manton - a very talented rider who perhaps did not get the opportunities on the track that his ability deserved. He rode 80 odd winners, and was an extremely popular member of our team. And much liked in the Weighing Room by his colleagues. Never short of a silly joke or witty riposte, Banksy brought many a smile to a grey morning on the gallops. So sad....