A MENTALLY-ill soldier who took a fatal overdose was let down by the army and the medical services, his widow has said.

Larkhill-based L/Bdr Richard Jones, 23, was found dead at home on October 15, 2012, but his wife Jodie believes his death could have been prevented.

In a statement Mrs Jones said: “I consider that Richard was failed by the army he loved and the medical services and that his tragic death was avoidable.”

Mrs Jones said her husband had suffered a recognised psychotic disorder and died “without any psychiatric assessment or treatment”.

Wiltshire assistant coroner Ian Singleton recorded a narrative verdict at an inquest in Salisbury on Tuesday.

He said: “Richard did not make any reference to an intention to harm himself or to take his own life.

“This was not a case where there was systemic failure, nor do I find that those who were responsible for Richard’s care contributed to his death by their acts or omissions.”

Dr Singleton said he would write to the agencies involved highlighting concerns about the way information obtained from mental health patients was recorded and shared with other agencies, and to find out who was responsible for a patient when there was a transfer of care.

“He was suffering from some form of psychosis, which made it difficult, on occasions, to distinguish reality from fantasy,” said Dr Singleton.

The inquest previously heard L/Bdr Jones had been suffering paranoia and hallucinations since an army boat trip to the Canary Islands.

Despite seeking help, his mental health was never fully assessed.

His condition worsened and, while his wife Jodie was staying with family in Wales, he took an overdose of the drug Tramadol and died.

He left a note saying: “I’m sorry, you deserve better.”

In a statement, L/Bdr Jones’ parents Pamela and Jeffrey said: “We remain devastated that Richard was left on his own before he died.

“Richard was a dear son, brother and uncle who loved being a soldier and a sportsman.

“He loved his job and, as the coroner found, Richard was a hard worker who had a great career ahead of him in the Army.

“We are all so proud of him.

“Richard loved his family to bits and his family loved him. He was and always will be our own boy.”

Mr and Mrs Jones said they hoped procedures would be strengthened and lessons learned, so other families would not have to go through the trauma they had suffered.

They thanked their son’s army colleagues, family and friends for their support.