A physical education teacher committed suicide after being arrested and released for the second time. Investigation found,
Paul Ruff was suspended from his job at St Peter’s Church of England Aided School in Exeter because he was under police investigation, Devon Live reports. He was first arrested on December 12 last year, then on February 15 this year.
No details have been released by the inquest about why he was arrested. Described as a ‘dedicated’ teacher, Mr Ruff was tragically found dead at his home by a concerned friend on February 15.
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Exeter Coroner’s Court heard yesterday (August 1) that the 49-year-old’s family were not aware of any arrests or police investigations following his death. The inquest heard that Mr Ruff had ‘devoted his life to coaching and participation in sport’.
Following his arrest, he was said to have become depressed, believing his carer and reputation were gone, and admitted suicidal thoughts to a close friend. His sister Julie Olson said in a statement that he studied sport at university and after gaining a teaching qualification in Exeter, he attended St Peter’s School, where he later became head of PE.
In his youth he represented his country in running and in adulthood he enjoyed being a long-distance marathon runner, completing an ultramarathon in the Sahara Desert. While visiting the US he is said to have discovered ultimate frisbee, which he brought to England and coached at school, developing into a national competition.
Her love of sports and the outdoors was said to have included canoeing and cycling, and she co-hosted a radio show, but her greatest passion was said to be teaching. Ms Olson said: “She was dedicated to her work.
“He was the first one to arrive at school in the morning and the last one to leave at night. He ran the after-school clubs every night.”
She described him as a private man who never talked about his private life, never married or had children but remained ‘best friends’ with his ex-fiancee. She added that his mental health was ‘excellent’ and that she encouraged the children to talk if they were feeling down.
“I don’t remember ever harming myself before. He would tell me that life was wonderful and that it was important not to waste a single day,” she said.
He added that he knew that his various aches and pains from his sports activities had led him to worry that he was too old to be a PE teacher and that he was in financial debt. Ms Olson said: “He said his salary was just covering his expenses but he was living well.”
He recalled that on the weekend before his death he had enjoyed visiting his family in West Sussex to celebrate his 50th birthday, being in ‘a great mood’ and giving himself and his mother early birthday presents and saying special things to everyone.
Looking back, she said she was “very happy” and added: “He never mentioned being arrested or expelled from school.”
The inquest heard that Mr Ruff was immediately suspended after police told the school he had been arrested. The leadership team ensured that a continuing support network was set up for him.
Colleague and friend Martin Hawker recalled how Mr Ruff struggled through the winter months and his mental health ‘collapsed’ following his arrest in December. He said: “His reputation was gone and the job was his life.
“It was very hard for him to see his way back. He was talking about how the world would be a better place without him. I tried to encourage him to get help, but he wouldn’t.”
Former colleague Mike Musson said he went to Mr Ruff’s house at 1pm on February 15 when they arranged to visit a friend’s woods but he was not at home. However, he saw him return shortly after their mutual friend Rob Robson informed him of his arrest.
He said Mr Ruff looked ‘ashen’ and wanted to be left on his own. He said he left because he knew Mr Robson was on his way.
Mr Musson said Mr Ruff did not tell him about the police investigation until early February, which he believed would last three months at most, and revealed suicidal thoughts. He said: “The lack of communication was making him feel anxious and paranoid.”
“The process he went through was clearly having a terrible effect on him.” The inquest heard that when Mr Ruff’s best friend Mr Robson arrived shortly after Mr Musson left, Mr Ruff’s door was locked but he had a key to get in.
Unable to find him at home, she found him in the locked garage and called Mr Walker to help her get in. They only just managed to dislodge the garage handle and were able to see Mr Ruff suspended through a hole and called the emergency services who forced their way in but were unable to revive him.
The police investigation found that Mr Ruff had taken his own life and that it was ‘likely’ that his arrest was a contributing factor. Two suicide notes were later found, one dated 21 December, which showed his decision to end his life at some point in the future, his thoughts about his life and his instructions for his death.
The cause of death was asphyxia due to hanging. His medical records confirmed that he had no previous mental health history.
Following his death, he was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of the short period between his release from police custody and his death. It concluded that he had been seen by a mental health practitioner on each occasion he was detained and that no concerns had been raised and that he had refused to interact with external services or agencies.
The report concluded that a high level of protection was taken, adding: “It is arguable that his contact with the police may have contributed to his decision to end his life, but it is difficult to see what would have been more reasonable to protect him in these circumstances.”
St Peter’s deputy head, Jonny Baker, said police had emailed the school to say Mr Ruff had been arrested a second time and that the school was doing ‘everything it could’ to provide pastoral support. Recording a conclusion of suicide, senior coroner Philip Spinney said: “There is no doubt that the police investigation and suspension from work contributed to his death.
“On the balance of probabilities, he took his own life and was planning to do so.” At the end of the inquest, Mr Ruff’s family thanked everyone who had supported him.
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