Wootton landlord shot himself with crossbow, inquest told

Susan Levy, a former partner and close friend of Appert for 20 years, told the inquest his mental health “drove a wedge between us”.

She said he had moved away from the area and lived in Scotland for a period where he was sectioned. He returned “back south” in 2015 – and in 2016 she said he was sectioned again after trying to take his own life.

In 2023 Appert moved to Wootton and began running the Chequers Inn, which he closed a year later as he “was feeling suicidal”. He reopened it in March 2025 after receiving counselling.

Levy said they had lots of conversations where he stated his intention to take his own life.

She said he was “tormented” by neighbours and he had run up £20,000 of debt with his electricity company due to confusion with his bills.

“Things most people are able to process affected him deeply,” she said.

According to his doctor’s records he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, diabetes and hypertension and had been under the care of mental health services.

Levy said he was one of 14 siblings, his father had been a prisoner of war in Germany and his relationship with his mother had been “very fraught”.

The inquest continues.

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