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Islington Tribune - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 13 June 2008

Evicted pensioner’s death leap

A RETIRED caretaker who was evicted from his flat on New Year’s Day this year jumped to his death from an Angel shopping centre hours later, an inquest heard yesterday (Thursday).
Anthony Fayle, 68, of Queens Drive in Finsbury Park, was last seen hanging from the “wrong side” of the railings, 40 feet up, before leaping to his death minutes later.
An inquest at St Pancras Coroner’s Court heard a statement read out from a former employer which told how Mr Fayle, who was also £20,000 in debt, had been evicted from his home after defaulting on his rent.
N1 shopping centre security guard Charles Ohanyerem said he first spotted the pensioner and alerted the police at around 8pm.
Despite suggestions by Mr Ohanyerem to “grab” at Mr Fayle in a rescue bid, PC Gethin Roberts of Islington police thought it would be more likely to make him jump.
At one stage a large crowd of onlookers gathered below to watch the unfolding tragedy. “I told them to get back and then I moved back under him,” said PC Roberts. “Mr Fayle then said ‘Get out of my way’ – I was then convinced he was going to jump.”
Mr Fayle, despite being taken to the Royal London Hospital in east London after he jumped, died the following day from internal injuries.
Ruling Mr Fayle took his own life, coroner Dr Andrew Reid said: “On the evidence I have heard I am satisfied Mr Fayle voluntarily and deliberately allowed himself to fall to the ground below.
“It was his intention to end his own life.”

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