Parents defend son's aided suicide

Daniel James, 23, died on September 12 after travelling to a Swiss clinic to kill himself, an inquest heard.

His parents, from Sinton Green, Worcester, issued a statement saying he was "an intelligent young man of sound mind" who was "not prepared to live what he felt was a second-class existence".

They said their son had tried "several" times to kill himself before he "gained his wish".

They justified his decision as West Mercia Police launched an investigation. Police said they had been in contact with a man and a woman following the death.

The family solicitor, Adrian Harling, refused to be drawn on the police action.

Julie and Mark James said: "His death was an extremely sad loss for his family, friends and all those that care for him but no doubt a welcome relief from the 'prison' he felt his body had become and the day-to-day fear and loathing of his living existence, as a result of which he took his own life.

"This is the last way that the family wanted Dan's life to end but he was, as those who know him are aware, an intelligent, strong-willed and some say determined young man.

"The family suffered considerably over the last few months and do wish to be left in peace to allow them to grieve appropriately."

Mr James's parents said he had never come to terms with his much-documented extreme physical incapacity. They added: "Over the last six months he constantly expressed his wish to die and was determined to achieve this in some way."