Teacher took his own life after sick stalker's vile campaign of homophobic abuse
A teacher took his own life after being targeted by an obsessed stalker who directed "vile, homophobic abuse" at him, an inquest heard.
Simon Cremen - who was found dead by a friend on June 6, 2021 - was described as having an infectious smile by his heartbroken family during the hearing at Grimsby Town Hall on Friday.
The 38-year-old had been the victim of a shocking campaign of abuse in the lead up to his passing by Darren Capers, who was later convicted of stalking him and jailed for four years.
Coroner Paul Smith delivered a conclusion of suicide and said Simon's actions to take his own life were deliberate and intentional. Following the inquest, Simon's devastated parents Sandra and Vince recalled the happy memories they have of their son.
He joined John Whitgift Academy, in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, as a maths teacher in 2019. Sandra said: "He loved his job and if any student had any problems they'd go to Simon for help."
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However, during the Covid lockdown, he found himself struggling with a lack of social interaction. He returned to work after the pandemic, but in May 2021, Capers began stalking, harassing and threatening him.
Simon joined John Whitgift Academy, in Grimsby, in 2019 (Jon Corken/Grimsby Live)Soon, Simon was finding it difficult to walk around the local area and would feel unsafe in certain places. Over the course of a month, the situation escalated and the police became involved. The threats were so bad that Simon felt unable even to go to the shops.
On the evening of his death, Emma Linford, a life-long friend and fellow teacher, received worrying messages from Simon. Emma went to check on him and discovered his body, reports GrimsbyLive.
In a statement read out at the inquest, she said that the situation with Capers had affected all aspects of Simon's life and was deeply upsetting him. The statement added: "I'm gutted, he was my best friend."
Sandra said: "When the police came to tell us what happened, I couldn't believe it, we were distraught." Of Capers' behaviour, she added: "If it wasn't for all this I don't think [Simon] would have done what he did."
Capers, 39, also of Grimsby, was prosecuted and admitted stalking the teacher, causing serious harm or distress, between May 12 and June 7 2021. Hull Crown Court heard that Capers had threatened to bomb Simon's house and smash his windows and there was a video of him shouting shocking insults.
In December last year, Capers was sentenced to four years in prison. Judge John Thackray KC told Capers: "You were quite literally terrorising him and, understandably, your actions had a profound effect upon him. You caused distress and misery to your victim in the final days and weeks of his life. He was overwhelmed by your conduct."
In his conclusion to the inquest yesterday, Mr Smith said: "Desperation engulfed him [Simon]. This vile, homophobic abuse and behaviour, which appeared to be escalating, I've no doubt gave him concerns." He added: "It appears he deliberately and intentionally made the decision to end his own life and I record the formal cause of death as suicide."
He went on to thank Simon's family and friends for attending and apologised for how difficult the proceedings must have been for them. In his closing statement, he said: "I've no doubt Simon will live long in your thoughts and he will be missed forever by you all."
After the inquest, Simon's dad Vince said: "It's been terrible. Words fail me. There is no resolve, we just have to learn to cope with it."
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