Social media allegations led to death of ‘loving and caring’ Bognor Regis carpenter

Dominic Jennings, 45, died on the railway line near the Bognor Road rail bridge in Chichester on Wednesday, July 22. 

An inquest on Wednesday heard how Dominic, whose marriage broke up 12 years ago, was thrown out of the Chichester Road B&B he was living in after allegations that he had ‘behaved inappropriately’ around children in a park. 

Police also received reports from a member of the public that a man, matching Dominic’s description, ‘tried to steal’ a dog at Bognor Regis beach, before sitting on a bench and exposing himself.

The hearing heard that the social media post accusing Dominic of approaching children was ‘unsubstantiated’ and there was ‘insufficient evidence’ for police to charge him.

However, the coroner said this ‘was not much solace’, as following failed attempts to find emergency accommodation, Dominic was also snubbed by a close friend, who he thought would allow him to stay the night.

Dominic was later treated at St Richard’s Hospital after having difficulty breathing following an asthma attack, the inquest heard. 

He was discharged but, still ‘severely distressed’ by the allegations, turned to alcohol. He later called his father, Cyril, ‘to say goodbye’. In a ‘drunk, suicidal state’, he also called a friend saying he was going to jump from a railway bridge, and wanted him to ‘tell everyone that I’m innocent’.

The social media post was described as a ‘tipping point’, which left Dominic seeing ‘no way forward’.

Sussex Police and British Transport Police were alerted, with a helicopter and on-the-ground officers deployed to look for Dominic between Chichester and Bognor Regis. Train drivers in the area were also asked to reduce their speed. 

Dominic, who has been named in the national press as the ex son-in-law of Rolling Stones star Keith Richards, was not found before jumping in front of a train heading towards Chichester.

Giving evidence, the train driver said he deployed the emergency brakes but it was impossible to stop in time.

After an internal review, it was also ruled that ‘nothing further could have been done’ by police officers, according to British Transport Police spokesperson Christina Butler.

Alicia Keen, assistant coroner for West Sussex, said: “Some of his behaviour was questionable that afternoon [but] a member of the public detained him on the basis of social media posts which were unsubstantiated. His landlady wouldn’t have him and neither would his friend.

“You can understand how he would be upset by that.

“He resorted to drinking which family recognised he had difficulty with. He had been trying very hard to take control of his life.”

Dominic’s family described him as a ‘loyal, loving and popular man’, who ‘always looked after the underdog and those in need’.

They added: “He was hard working, loving and caring. His family came first. He was care free and adventurous. He was compassionate and never took himself too seriously.

“He didn’t want to die but he didn’t want to live the life he was in at that moment. He was a beautiful soul. His death has destroyed our family and his friends forever.”