FATHER FACING DIVORCE DROWED SON AGED TWO

Alan Watkins, 50, devised the plan to throw son Arun into the sea from a dinghy before hurling himself overboard in despair at the breakdown of his marriage.

A coroner last year ruled their deaths had been an accident. But the discovery of a letter on Mr Watkins’ computer memory stick led to the case being reopened. The new hearing was told he had secretly bought the inflatable dinghy and promised Arun a day out at the seaside in Little­hampton, West Sussex.

But privately, the unemployed nurse had planned to kill them both because of his pending divorce from wife Sheena.

Mrs Watkins, who was not at yesterday’s inquest, said in a statement she felt “deep sorrow and anger” over the loss of her son and begged fathers considering similar action to seek help. The memory stick was found by a friend helping to clear the family home in Southwick, West Sussex.

In the letter, dated June 1, 2007, nine days before the fatal trip, Mr Watkins wrote: “While I know what I’m doing is wrong, it honestly but sadly feels like the best option for Arun and for me.

“This way he doesn’t have to go through the torture and unhappiness of coming from a broken home. He won’t suffer any pain.”

Worthing coroner Penny Schofield recorded verdicts of suicide and unlawful death.