Hugely popular Eastbourne businessman died after gambling addiction took its toll

Jimmy Farrell took his own life in January, an inquest at Eastbourne Town Hall heard yesterday (August 20).

The 62-year-old father of two, of Coast Road, Pevensey Bay, was described as ‘vibrant’ and ‘caring’ and incredibly well known.

Some 500 people attended his funeral, the inquest heard.

Originally from Liverpool, Jimmy moved to the town with his large family in the ‘80s and ran the business Trimseal in Courtlands Road until he retired in 2019.

A statement from Jimmy’s sister Karen Robertson was read at the inquest.

She said, “He was always a caring, vibrant, funny but sensitive person.

“He was-liked by everyone who knew him and had many friends. About 500 people went to his funeral.

“He was well known and well thought of.”

But she said, “It later came out he was in a deep debt he couldn’t get out of.

“We started to notice how stressed he was looking again. I knew he was in trouble. I was so concerned how stressed he was.”

She said one day Jimmy told her he owed lots of money to friends and family, and felt ‘utterly ashamed and embarrassed’ about it.

“I think he felt there was no way back,” she said, “He was a proud man. He couldn’t face the truth coming out.”

The inquest heard Mr Farrell was found dead in his home on January 30 this year. He had hanged himself.

Detective Sergeant Ross Bartlett was brought to the stand to give evidence.

He said Jimmy had a gambling addiction and had racked up tens of thousands of pounds worth of debt.

Police were satisfied there was no third party involvement in his death, said DS Bartlett.

Coroner Alan Craze said, “He owed a lot of money. He’d taken considerable steps to hide from people the state he had got into.”

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Mr Craze expressed his condolences to the family and Jimmy’s many loved ones.

• If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133

• You can also visit www.gamcare.org.uk for information, support, and counselling

• Samaritans may also be able to help – the charity’s helpline number is 116 123.