A FARMER who felt like he was going to be wrenched from the farm that had been his life killed himself after selling it to developers, an inquest heard.

Michael Babey was discovered hanging in one of their barns on Parkers Farm, Rownhams.

The inquest in Winchester heard around 10 years ago the father-of-four sold 250 acres of land to developers.

And from the sale his friend of 55 years and confidante Kerry Macnamara, said Mr Babey was receiving a “substantial sum of money” in instalments, adding: “It is more money than he could have ever hoped for”.

However, the 73-year-old was not sure what to spend it on and on one occasion Mr Babey was walking round Romsey with a “five figure sum in his back pocket” but could not find anything to buy. Later he found an interest in horse racing and was investing in horses.

But Mr Macnamara said: “When he came back to the farm the same old issues hadn’t gone away. He didn’t know what to do with the money.”

Coroner Jason Pegg was told that Mr Babey felt like he was being pulled away from the place where he grew up by wife Janet and daughter Catherine.

“Janet and Catherine were desperate to move, desperate for an equestrian centre,” Mr Macamara continued.

In a statement Janet said: “ It was getting to him, seeing his land dug up. It was all too much for him.”

Following his death notes were found stretching back two years. PC Matthew Williams said: “He was struggling and couldn’t quite wrap his head around the finances that were coming through. He was trying to plan the expenditure that was going out as well.”

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Mr Pegg said: “He [Mr Babey] says the whole farm business has caused him bother, not so much financially but emotionally.

“The main concern was the fact that Mr Babey was going to be wrenched from the farm that had been his life for so many years, all 73 years, he didn’t fancy the prospect.”