John Clegg 'took his own life', rules coroner

Littleborough resident and businessman John Clegg “took his own life” a coroner has ruled.

An inquest into the death of Mr Clegg ruled that he took his own life via a single gunshot wound to the head.

Mr Clegg was found dead at Rakewood Road, Littleborough on Monday 25 May 2015, following reports of a firearm being discharged.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/96114/man-dies-following-firearm-being-discharged-in-littleborough

Described by his family as a “hardworking and innovative businessman,” Mr Clegg was the tenth generation of his family to work at the family mill.

In a statement read out by the coroner, the family stated that Mr Clegg was “proud to have carried on the family business and was an honest and polite, but private man.”

Before his death, Mr Clegg was working on developing the family mill into a renewable energy centre with turbines on site.

The Coroner agreed that pressure felt by him whilst trying to develop the mill and move plans forward may have had an effect.

Speaking at the inquest, Coroner Mrs Lisa Hashmi said: “I think that there was stress and anxiety of life felt at the time, despite Mr Clegg being a proud man. I don’t think any of you could have foreseen this tragedy and no guilt should be felt or carried by any of you.

“I must conclude that Mr Clegg died from a single gunshot wound to the head, by a firearms owned by him and that any third party involvement has been ruled out. There is no suggestion that he was lawfully or unlawfully killed.

“Mr Clegg took his own life.”