Manager's suicide at rear of shop

A sales manager was found hanged at the rear of the store where he worked days after he was accused of stealing, an inquest has heard.

David Holland from Cefn Fforest had worked at the Poundstretcher shop in Blackwood near Caerphilly since school.

Andrew Holland told the inquest at Newport the theft accusation had "deeply upset" his stepson, who was 33.

Gwent Coroner David Bowen recorded a verdict that Mr Holland killed himself while depressed.

The inquest heard Mr Holland found his stepson's body in a wooded waste area at the back of the store after his stepson went missing.

Even though Mr Holland said he had had a premonition about the whereabouts of his stepson, he searched the area convinced that he would not find him there.

He told the hearing there had been an audit at the store and that his stepson and others had been accused of taking money from their employer.

But he said his son denied doing anything wrong.

Speaking after the verdict, Andrew Holland said his stepson had devoted his life to Poundstretcher.

He said he would work on days off for no pay and had been deeply upset by what he called the untrue allegations.

A spokesman for Poundstretcher paid tribute to Mr Holland and said he had been an outstanding employee.

There had been an investigation into the theft of nearly £600 from the store in Blackwood and Mr Holland was the only member of staff to be questioned about it.

The inquiry is now closed and no further action has been taken.