Young rugby player battling depression, 22, hanged himself hours after a friend had slapped him at Christmas Eve party
Tragic Nathan Tomkins found dead in garden shed by dad Robin
A PROMISING young rugby player hanged himself after a friend SLAPPED him at a party, an inquest has heard.
Tragic Nathan Tomkins, 22, had been battling depression when a pal struck him on Christmas Eve last year.
Hours later Nathan, known as Tank at the Upton Rugby Club he played for, was found hanged in the shed by his father, Robin, 64.
At an inquest at Worcestershire Coroners’ Court on Wednesday, Coroner Geraint Williams ruled that being slapped at the party and the effects of a previous assault had contributed to the death of the sports fanatic from Earl Croome, Worcs.
Robin told how ahead of the tragedy his local contractor son became increasingly withdrawn, and found it difficult to talk.
The former Hanley Castle High School pupil had been spending an increasing amount of time isolated in his room.
Nathan's brother Matthew, 29, also revealed that the pair had gone out together "drinking, socialising, singing and having a good time" on the night he died.
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At one stage in the night Nathan was slapped across the face by a friend, leaving him "clearly upset".
After returning to the family home Robin went to check up on his son, but couldn't find him in his room.
He entered the shed after noticing the light was on, and found his son dead. Despite attempts to resuscitate him, Nathan could not be revived.
Describing his brother at a memorial event at Hanley Castle High in March, Matthew said: ";He knew everybody, whether you were one month old or 100-years-old, he knew how to make you happy.
"He had a big smile, he could make people laugh."
Following the funeral on January 27, his family chose to create the Nathan Tomkins Trust in his memory.
In January, Matthew said: "We want to make sure Nathan's name is never forgotten - that's the first and most important thing.
"Since the funeral we said we would do something and it has taken a few months to start creating a legacy for Nathan.”
Rugby coach Matthew Scanlan said: "I had the pleasure of teaching Tank for five years and coaching him rugby. He was a superstar.
"A lovely lad and a very talented sports performer. His determination and iron will stood out. A combative opponent, super teammate and always smiling."
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