CHRIS Grady was born in Manchester before moving to Worcester with his parents Valerie and Anthony at the age of four.

He followed his father’s footsteps by completing an apprenticeship as a welder and blacksmith.

In his early 20s he married Suzanne and had three children, Scott, Kristie and Jessica. They lived in Canterbury Road, Ronkswood, Worcester.

Grady spilt from Suzanne in 2002 and met Kim Smith (nee Wise) who had two children from her previous marriage to Kevin Smith.

The couple lived in Portefields Road, Tolladine, Worcester. Ryan was born in July 2003 followed by Gabrielle almost exactly one year later.

Both Grady and Miss Smith described their relationship as “volatile”.

The court was told during his trial that Grady had problems with Miss Smith’s family and claimed he was stabbed by her ex-husband in 2004.

This was one of the reasons they moved to Watford in 2005 where Grady had found a job.

But Miss Smith was unhappy living away from Worcestershire and the couple moved to Evesham in 2007.

The pair split soon after and Grady was prescribed medication for depression.

Grady found a flat in High Street, Evesham, and it was agreed via the courts he would have Ryan and Gabby on Wednesday nights and every other weekend.

Grady was not happy.

He wanted the contact to be equal between him and Miss Smith. He said the court order said he could see the children on other agreed times but said he hardly ever did.

He said this “ground him down” making him feel “useless and worthless”.

At this point Grady contemplated suicide but said he would never be “selfish enough” leave his five children without a dad.

Grady then rented a workshop in Inches Lane, Evesham, from a man called Rob Lewis, where he started a business making gates and railings.

Grady took on a job making gates for a traveller and agreed a price which turned out to be too low for the work required.

Grady fell behind with his rent and was evicted from his flat at the beginning of February last year. He also owed Mr Lewis nearly £3,000.

He began sleeping and living in his workshop and stopped playing darts at the pub, which he enjoyed.

He told the court he was “as low as a man can get”.

The first night of having Ryan and Gabby since losing his flat, the three of them slept on the sofa at his ex-wife’s home in Worcester.

He said this led to an argument with Suzanne Grady and before he left on the Thursday morning he told her “you won’t see me again”.

At about 9.20am that morning he drove into the river Avon with Ryan and Gabby trapped inside the car.

Grady has two previous convictions for criminal damage and handling stolen goods in 1986 and one for shoplifting in 1992.

He was cautioned in 1997 for possessing cannabis.

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