Man cut off head in flat protest

A man who cut off his head with a chainsaw was "irrationally opposed" to leaving his home, an inquest has heard.

David Phyall, 50, had been ordered to leave his flat in Eastleigh, Hampshire, which was due to be redeveloped.

Winchester Coroner's Court was told his body was found by police on 5 July, laying under a snooker table.

Recording a suicide verdict, deputy coroner Simon Burge said: "I think he did it to draw attention to the injustice of his situation."

"This is the most bizarre case I can recall"
Simon Burge, deputy coroner

Wednesday's inquest heard that the block in Bodmin Road where Mr Phyall had his flat was to be demolished.

Despite efforts from his housing association he had refused 11 offers of alternative accommodation.

Eventually it had gone to court to repossess the property.

Mr Burge, central Hampshire's deputy coroner, said First Wessex Housing Group had done all it could to help Mr Phyall but he was "irrationally opposed to moving".

"In the 15 years I have been sitting as a deputy coroner, this is the most bizarre case I can recall," Mr Burge said.

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