A MAN who carried out a campaign of intimidation against his probation officer took his own life, an inquest into his death heard.

Samuel Hayes made repeated phone calls to the woman and attempted to track down her address after he was ordered to attend a three-year programme following a conviction for harassment.

In August last year, he was found dead at his Lymington flat.

An inquest in Winchester this week heard that 22-year-old left a note for his mum before taking an overdose. He had suffered from anxiety, depression and personality disorder for most of his life and often felt let down by mental health services, it was said.

Mr Hayes' clinical psychologist Sian Williams told the coroner: "He acknowledge he felt very hopeless but other times he said he engaged in this behaviour so people had to listen.

"His emotions could be very intense and could change rapidly."

Mr Hayes spent 12 weeks in prison in 2018 and was in an ongoing dispute with his neighbours.

His mum Kirsty said Ms Williams was a "godsend" but "came too late" to help.

"I wished he had met Sian two years ago," she said.

Senior coroner Grahame Short, who recorded a conclusion of suicide, said: "It is clear that Sam had a troubled life and an extensive mental health history.

"It is also clear some of these professionals who treated him were able to help Sam and give him support, which is clearly what he needed."