A ‘COUNTRY gentleman’ took his own life with a rifle he used to hunt grey squirrels that stole walnuts from his garden.

Charles Edward Jones, 84, had been given months to live due to a serious kidney problem and wanted to go out on his own terms, an inquest heard.

He was found in the bedroom of his home on Chester Road, Churton by Aldford, near Chester, on September 22 last year with an old .22 rifle and a half-smoked cigarette by his side.

Mr Jones, a widower, loved walking his dogs in the Cheshire countryside and tending to his garden. But his burgeoning health problems had left him with decreased mobility and deteriorating eyesight.

The inquest, held on Monday (March 19) at Chester Magistrates Court, heard that not being able to do the things he loved became “torture”.

Not wishing to become a burden on his son Gavin and daughter Elaine, he resolved to take his own life.

Mr Jones chose his time carefully, days after seeing his “beloved granddaughters” and having just shared a roast dinner with his children.

Elaine had left to drive home and Gavin discovered his father having spotted his bedroom door was open and believing the dogs may have snuck in.

Emergency services were called and the police quickly confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.

Mr Jones was described as a “country gentleman” who enjoyed the “simple pleasures” in life. A keen outdoorsman, he kept an old .22 rifle and several airguns to tackle a “squirrel problem”.

Born in Chester, he worked as a painter and decorator after leaving school but went on to pursue a career with Shell working as a manager.

In a statement, read to the court, daughter Elaine said: “He was hugely pragmatic, stubborn and caring. He chose to go in his own home at a time of his own choosing.

“Although shocking and sad, I see his suicide as an act of great courage.”

Dr Janet Napier, assistant coroner for Cheshire, concluded that Mr Jones took his own life. The cause of death was said to be a gunshot wound to the head.