Kingshurst grandmother committed suicide an inquest rules

A Kingshurst woman who feared she would be forced to leave her home killed herself, a coroner has ruled.

An inquest heard that Stephanie Bottrill (pictured) had been worried how she would cope with the increased cost of the controversial ‘bedroom tax’.

Early on the morning of May 4 last year, the 52-year-old had climbed a safety barrier and walked onto the M6 motorway. She died from multiple injuries after being struck by a lorry.

The tragedy made national headlines after it emerged she had left a suicide note, blaming the Government’s housing policy.

The day before her death the mum-of-two had visited her GP, Bindu Nair, and told him she could not cope with the stress. 

She was apparently worried that she would have to choose between remaining in Meriden Drive, and paying more money, or leaving the council house where she had lived for 20 years.

But it was also revealed that the former postal worker had battled depression for decades and had previously taken an overdose in 2005.

Speaking following today's verdict at Birmingham and Solihull Coroners, her brother, Kevin Owens, said it was wrong to suggest that her housing worries were to blame for her death.

“Much has been written about ‘bedroom tax’ pushing her - it wasn’t, because prior to that she’d attempted suicide before and that hadn’t been reported before. 

“It might have been the catalyst to push her but was it just an excuse she was looking for? - That’s all I’ve got to say.”

Solihull Council said that Ms Bottrill had been told she could apply for a grant, which would have allowed her to remain at the three-bedroom terrace, but she had chosen not to.

The local authority also denied that she had been hurried into making a decision.

A spokeswoman said: “It was never a situation where she would have been asked to make a decision in half an hour.”

Bedroom Tax: The so-called 'bedroom tax', or spare room subsidy, caused huge controversy when it was introduced in April 2013. Under the more stringent rules, people who live in council properties with empty rooms have to pay more. The Government said this would encourage people to move to smaller homes and free up valuable housing space for families. However, the policy has been strongly criticised by many Solihull councillors.