Russell Joslin suffocated himself after accusing BBC of 'covering up after complaints he was sexually harassed' Russell Joslin feared his career was in ruins after lodging allegation against female co-worker The radio reporter, 50, was concerned by bosses' handling of his complaint Coroner records a verdict of suicide after inquest in Warwickshire Tormented: Reporter Russell Joslin, 50, killed himself after complaining about the BBC's handling of his complaint about a colleague, an inquest heard A BBC reporter suffocated himself after fearing a complaint of sexual harassment he made against a female colleague would spell the end of his career, an inquest heard. Journalist Russell Joslin had accused the corporation of covering up allegations that he was subjected to 'unwanted advances', the coroner was told. The 50-year-old, who worked for BBC Coventry and Warwickshire radio, is also said to have been 'absolutely furious' that the woman he complained about had herself made claims of sexual harassment in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal. An inquest in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, heard that Mr Joslin suffocated himself in hospital last October - three days after being struck by a bus in a previous suicide attempt, it was claimed. Mr Joslin had previously been treated at a mental health unit in March last year. Giving evidence to the inquest, Mr Joslin's father, Peter, said his son had become 'more and more concerned' about his alleged treatment by the unnamed woman. Mr Joslin, a former chief constable of Warwickshire Police, claimed the colleague had put pressure on his son as long ago as 2006. The journalist's father told the inquest: 'She threatened him that he would never work again or never get any higher. It did cause him a lot of problems. It became so important at the end, in the final few days. He became very, very concerned about the way the individual concerned was treating him and making his life so difficult. After his son's brief admission to a mental health hospital in March last year, he seemed to make a very quick recovery, according to his father. But on October 18 last year, a friend contacted the journalist's father to warn him that his son had told him he was having suicidal thoughts. The following day the popular and well-liked reporter, who joined the BBC in 1997, suffered non-life-threatening injuries when he was struck by a bus, but was later found dead after being admitted to hospital in Warwick. Pressure: Peter Joslin, 78, left, said his son Russell, right, had been told he would never rise up the ranks of the BBC after he complained he had been sexually harassed by a colleague Recording a verdict that Mr Joslin took his own life, coroner Louise Hunt said 'multiple factors' appeared to have affected him. The coroner said: 'We know from the medical evidence that Russell was paranoid. He had had a lack of sleep, there was a lack of career progression and he was frustrated with the situation with the colleague. 'I don't think one of those factors can be split out. In my view they were all relevant and interplayed together. The corporation apologised to Mr Joslin's family after a report found the way the BBC had dealt with the complaints was "not good enough." It also reported criticism of the female colleague, who cannot be named for legal reasons, with others describing her as a "strong and dominating personality," who "created an atmosphere of intimidation." Referred to as "colleague A," the woman is said to have been "very difficult to work with," with "managers scared to confront her." The court heard how Mr Joslin would be constantly paranoid that people were watching him and even told one nurse he thought journalists were in the beds of his ward. Stress: Reporter Russell Joslin, pictured, believed colleagues at the BBC had made his life very difficult, his father told his inquest Russell Joslin was found dead at St Michael's hospital, pictured, where he was being treated following a previous suicide attempt three days earlier Registered mental health nurse Claire Lennox, who found Mr Joslin after his death, revealed how he would often believe he was being watched by journalists. He was also allowed back on the emergency ward despite telling staff he believed journalists were hiding under his bed and that he felt "like he was on The Truman Show." She said: 'He stated he had no wishes to be dead, no feelings of hopelessness. But he said he had no plans for the future and felt like he was being watched. He said it was like a game and he told me he felt like he was in the Truman Show, a film. She added that he later said some words that stuck with her which were: 'It's a game, but I'm enjoying it now.' Worries: Russell Joslin feared his career had been ruined after he made a complaint about a female colleague sexually harassing him In the hours before his death, the inquest heart that Mr Joslin had told Ms Lennox that he had no indication to kill himself as he wouldn't want to put his parents through such an ordeal. The claims made by Mr Joslins family after his death sparked investigation led by external consultant Lesley Granger, who worked for the BBC until 2008. Following the publication of her report back in March this year, the BBC admitted some aspects of the handling of Mr Joslin's complaints were 'not good enough'. They said a number of factors, including the 'workplace culture', had made it difficult for him to speak out. A post-mortem examination found Mr Joslin died from asphyxiation after obstructing his own airway. The journalist's family has claimed his managers could have given him more help after he made allegations that he was sexually harassed. Those claims sparked an investigation led by external consultant Lesley Granger, who was appointed by the BBC to inquire into the circumstances of the complaints. Ms Granger told the inquest Mr Joslin alleged that the colleague had become 'very unpleasant' after he declined her advances during 2006. During April 2006, Mr Joslin claimed to have received a voicemail message in which threats were made. In March last year, the reporter had two conversations with a case manager and had expected that his claims would then appear in a report prepared for BBC management. But due to a 'misunderstanding' between Mr Joslin and the case manager during their meetings, no specific allegations relating to the colleague were put into the final report sent to a line manager. In early October last year, the inquest heard, Mr Joslin arranged a further meeting, which he left 'thinking there was some sort of cover-up going on'. Although the investigation commissioned by the BBC found no evidence of any efforts to cover up the allegations, it did conclude that the handling of his complaints was 'not good enough'. For confidential support about depression, call the Samaritans on 0845 790 9090 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details.