A REDDITCH drug addict with a history of depression and overdoses committed suicide by throwing himself in front of a bus, an inquest heard.

Witnesses described how 36-year-old Paul Newman literally 'dived' from the side of the road into the front of a bus as it travelled along Studley Road in Woodrow shortly after 4pm on January 2.

Deputy coroner Timothy Sherwood heard how desperate attempts were made by off-duty police officer PC David Gilbert to save Mr Newman.

PC Gilbert told the hearing he performed cardiac massage at the scene, in the ambulance and at the A&E department at the hospital but Mr Newman's injuries were too great.

Mr Newman's mother, Kathleen Brennan, told the court her son had been involved in three long-term relationships and had three children.

She said her son moved from soft to harder drugs and had been in trouble with police, had started mixing with different people because of his drug habit and had been to prison.

Mrs Brennan said her son, who suffered with osteoporosis, was devastated he had hepatitis C and stopped drinking and taking hard drugs for a while but soon relapsed.

She recalled an incident in the town centre when Mr Newman was badly beaten up and felt the whole world was against him.

Mr Newman was due to appear at court on the day he died charged with possessing an offensive weapon.

He had visited his mother that morning.

Mrs Brennan said her son was clean and tidy and seemed in control of himself although he was running late for his court appearance.

Mr Sherwood said: "It is quite clear Paul Newman died as result of injuries sustained when he was hit by the bus. Paul had a number of problems during his life. He had good times and bad times.

"On the day this happened, Paul was due to appear in court and it's quite clear he was concerned at the outcome and the possibility of being ordered to serve a prison sentence and that he would not be able to take methadone."

Mr Sherwood said all the witnesses had described how Mr Newman had suddenly dived into the road, leaving the bus driver no chance to avoid a collision.

He concluded: "Based on this evidence I'm quite satisfied the proper verdict is one of suicide."