Jon Errington Paxton: Sailor gunshot inquest to probe warship security

An inquest into the death of a sailor who suffered a gunshot wound to the head will investigate the security of ammunition on Royal Navy warships.

Petty Officer Jon Errington Paxton died on Portsmouth-based HMS Cattistock in April 2023 and had keys to the armoury, a pre-inquest review hearing was told.

He had recently gone through a divorce, the coroner in Portsmouth heard.

It came 12 years after engineering technician Samuel Hatton killed himself with a rifle on the same vessel.

Senior Hampshire coroner Christopher Wilkinson said the full inquest would examine the security of weapons and ammunition on the minehunter, as well as other ships across the fleet.

"There are issues around firearms on board a Royal Navy vessel, which is immediately relevant to the circumstances of Jon's death," he said.

He said the inquest would also look at the mental health of 38-year-old PO Paxton who, as well as the recent divorce, was facing civilian charges from police in Scotland before his death.

Mr Wilkinson said that he was concerned about delays faced by ambulance crews and civilian police in accessing the scene in the secure naval base.

But he added that he did not believe any life-saving opportunities for PO Paxton, who was from Marchwood, Hampshire, were missed as a result.

The hearing was adjourned to a date yet to be set.

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