A mother of a marine hero has criticised the Armed Forces’ ‘casual’ and ‘incompetent care provided to him before his apparent suicide.

Alison Tostevin told an inquest into former Special Boat Service Corporal Alexander Tostevin, 28, how he spiralled into drink and drugs.

As he was unable to speak, he began to cry.

The hearing heard that she claimed that the Ministry of Defence did not provide sufficient support to her husband when they discovered he was in a darkened apartment with a “noose around the neck”.

Corporal Tostevin was a marine serving until his death at an address near Poole in Dorset on March 18, 2018.

His gallantry in fighting Taliban in Afghanistan was mentioned in dispatches.

He was still scarred from the horrific events he saw in his first tour, which included seeing children strapped with bombs.

Alison Tostevin told an inquest into former Special Boat Service Corporal Alexander Tostevin (pictured), 28, how he spiralled into drink and drugs

Alison Tostevin described, 28 years later in an inquiry into Alexander Tostevin, former Special Boat Service Corporal (photo), about how he fell into drinking and drug abuse

Corporal Tostevin (pictured) remained a serving marine until he was found dead at an address in Poole, Dorset, on March 18, 2018

Corporal Tostevin, (pictured), remained an active mariner until his death at an address near Poole, Dorset on March 18, 2018.

Despatches mention Alex Tostevin, a hero SBS soldier who saved troops from Taliban.

Alex Tostevin was 28, received the Cross of Honor for his bravery in saving troops’ lives during the Taliban battle.

After firing his machine gun in Sangin Province in Helmand Province even though he was shot in the head, he received a Mention in Dispatches.

In July 2010, his heroic actions enabled two soldiers, who were being held down by gunmen, to escape. His citation stated that he “remained steadfast in his sentry place”.

Corporal Tostevin expressed his delight at receiving the award.

The Special Boat Service operative, however, is thought to have lost his life at Poole in Dorset.

Corporal Tostevin was one of twelve veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq who were feared to have committed suicide in 2018.

A teacher named Mrs Tostevin stated that she didn’t realize there was an issue with Alex’s custody until I had access to the files.

“We planned to hold an inquest, and after I had read the file, I called your office (the Coroner), and we corresponded about some things that bothered us.

The thing that most disturbed and traumatized me was the fact that everybody knew two days prior to my son’s passing, both the MOD and the welfare officers knew. My son was found in his apartment in darkened rooms with a noose around the neck. He contemplated whether to get up from his chair or throw it away.

“Welfare officer 1” reminded you by email that my son did it.

“I believe that people think it is okay to leave their pet with their dog, 999 or the Samaritans. That all boxes have been checked and that they are doing a good job.

“I do not know of anyone who would agree with me.” You have taken our precious son away, and his care was incompetent and negligent.

Mrs Tostevin claimed that the wife a serving officer stated at her funeral that he had been placed on an informal “suicide watch” in February 2018. However, the support was not sufficient.

According to her, she told the Inquest that Alex’s wife had said at Alex’s funeral how he was on an informal suicide watch. It wasn’t enough.

After her husband discovered him in tears and moving around in the gym, he was found sleeping on the couch by her and her spouse.

‘She claimed it wasn’t enough, as they weren’t qualified to take care of him. Additionally, he was couch surfing with no privacy and felt that he intruded.

Corporal Tostevin (pictured), from Guernsey, survived being shot in the head when a bullet skirted the inside of his helmet in a firefight in Sangin, Helmand Province, in 2010

Corporal Tostevin (pictured), Guernsey was saved from being shot in his head in 2010, when a bullet snuck under the helmet of Corporal Tostevin in Sangin Province.

Guernsey Corporal Tostevin was shot in the head by a bullet that pierced his helmet during a fight in Sangin (Heland Province) in 2010.

He fell to the floor, but he got up and ran. Two soldiers were also pinned to their deaths by his fire.

He cited that Stevin “remained steady at his sentry post.” After the patrol left danger, Stevin sought medical help. He was then in severe shock.

Mrs Tostevin explained that what Mr. Tostevin wasn’t prepared for was the ‘awful’ things he had seen on his first tour.

She stated, “It was awful.” Many people were left without limbs or lost their lives.

Her mother added that the bombs were attached to children’s heads. After that, he was terrified of children.

She spoke out about how her “kind, fun-loving, generous” son changed.

He was rude. He had a lot of fun with money and women. He wasn’t the Alex that I had known. He was only a shell.

She stated that Corporal Tostevin suffered ‘behavioural change’ over the years and was sent overseas in 2016.

In 2017, he was heavily indebted to “pay-day” loan companies. He went to court for an incident at the bar.

He told her once that he used all of his money to buy ‘cocaine’ and prostitutes.

Bournemouth Town Hall is holding an inquest. It heard that he was admitted to hospital on March 14th 2018, and allowed to return to his home.

This is the ongoing case.