DIVORCED Geoffrey Dewsnapp told his girlfriend he was going a 'long way away' before locking himself in a shed and shooting himself.

An Oxford inquest heard Mr Dewsnapp, 59, who was found in December last year in a shed near his Westfield, Harwell, home, had financial problems.

His girlfriend Norma Whiting, who lived with Mr Dewsnapp, had thought he was going to Spain. She was too upset to attend the inquest.

Pc Peter Talbot, of Abingdon Police, said Ms Whiting had told him Mr Dewsnapp had had financial difficulties.

He said: "He had tried to sell some land but had not been successful."

The inquest heard cut up credit cards and receipts were found in a bag near the body.

Det Con Stanley Nieburg said he found Mr Dewsnapp slumped against the door of the shed. He had shot himself with a handgun.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict that Mr Dewsnapp took his own life.

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