'I feel let down for the children': Ex-Wife of 'hero' who shot himself with rifle questions Royal Navy support

The Royal Navy failed to properly safeguard a ‘real-life hero’ who took his own life with an assault rifle, his ex-wife has said.

Verity Wyng, the former partner of Petty Officer Jon Errington Paxton, believes more could have been done to protect him while he was suffering from mental ‘anguish’. An inquest into PO Paxton’s death found that he killed himself aboard the minehunter HMS Cattistock while she was docked in Portsmouth.

The 38-year-old had recently gone through a divorce with his partner, and he had been accused of sexual assault while he was back home in Scotland. The inquest heard that the father-of-three had debts of up to £25,000 and told his partner at the time that 'everybody would be better off without him'.

Area Coroner for Hampshire, Portsmouth, and Southampton, Jason Pegg, said PO Paxton committed suicide on April 19, 2023, using an assault rifle which was taken from weapon storage on board ship. He had taken the keys from the belt of the duty officer, Royal Navy Clearance Diver Matthew Moreton, while he was asleep.

PO Paxton was arrested and charged with sexual assault in December 2022 while he was on medical unit discharge. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges, but the trial had not yet taken place. The sailor had suffered from depression and anxiety, and he was deemed medically unfit for several months.

Ms Wyng said there were several opportunities for PO Paxton to be better supported. “I believe that there have been failings with regards to safeguarding Jon on the HMS Cattistock and while he was working for the Royal Navy at the time of his death,” she told The News.

“Jon was clearly facing a great deal of anguish and stress at the time of his death. This would have been a very stressful time for him. He had been medically downgraded once previously why wasn’t this done at this point?

“Jon should have been taken off the ship until the sexual assault case against him was finalised. His managers knew he was very upset with the court proceedings. This was the first failing, but secondly, it seems that the key being left out while the man in charge of it was asleep is the next failing.

“It was left on his trousers within reach of not only Jon but anybody who entered that room. Why? There seems to be a lot of caution around signing weapons and ammunition in and out and the weapons being locked away, but I don’t understand why the keys are not locked away or signed over to somebody who can monitor them. I think this is something me and the children will always struggle with.

Sign up for The Week in Defence with Freddie Webb - our newsletter rounding up the sector’s must-read stories

“Had Jon not been on the ship at this time he would not have been able to do this. And if the keys had not been left out he would have not been able to do this. Both of these would have resulted in a potentially different outcome for Jon and our children.

“The inquest into this was less than one hour and I feel majorly let down for the children. I really hoped there would be measures recommended to stop this happening again. I wish Jon had had the support he needed and this never happened as the effect on the children has been life changing.”

PO Paxton’s inquest saw various emotional tributes by his family. His brother Ross described him as a “real-life hero”, while his mum Linda described him as a loving father who adored his job.

This is not the first incident of this kind. PO Paxton’s death came 12 years after after Samuel “Ricky” Hatton, 20, shot himself on the same warship at HMNB Portsmouth. The engineering technician had been affected by the death of Matthew “Spider” Webster, who died on board HMS Hurworth in February 2010.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “Our thoughts and condolences remain with the family, friends and colleagues of Petty Officer Jon Paxton following his death in April 2023.”

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article you can talk to your GP, phone 111 or text SHOUT to 85258.

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here to listen – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org. There is also a list of local services available here.

If you've been affected by suicide, Amparo is a dedicated support service providing practical and emotional support after bereavement. Call 0330 088 9255, email [email protected] or visit amparo.org.uk