A police worker jumped to his death at Beachy Head after being victimised and bullied by his new boss, an inquest was told.

On the day he died grandfather-of-three Michael Taylor left his home in a suit and tie for work but instead drove to the cliff top.

An inquest into his death at Eastbourne Coroner's Court yesterday was told the 51-year-old Sussex Police infrastructure manager had become gradually more depressed after new IT department head Margaret Gardiner was appointed in June last year.

The inquest was told that Dr Gardiner sent out an email slideshow to staff informing them of her professional history, revealing she had made 1,000 people redundant at her previous job at British Gas.

In a statement read by the coroner, Mr Taylor's daughter Natalie Macaulay, who also worked at Sussex Police, said her father was "very afraid" of losing his job after Mrs Gardiner broke up established teams and made redundancies.

She said his workload was continually increased and added: "It became apparent that she was victimising and bullying him. She gradually chipped away at my dad's confidence until he questioned his own suitability for the role."

But Dr Gardiner told the inquest she had actually lightened Mr Taylor's workload when she realised he was feeling overwhelmed.

She said: "I tend to be inclusive and honest with my team. I can be firm but I have never failed to support a member of my staff."

The inquest was told no formal complaints were ever made against Mrs Gardiner and that some colleagues described her management style as a breath of fresh air.

Mr Taylor, who had worked at Sussex Police for 17 years, killed himself on May 1. Dr Gardiner resigned on May 4.

In a note left to his wife Rosemary at the family home in Telscombe Park, Peacehaven, Mr Taylor said: "Work has impacted on our relationship since June 2007 and the impact is still growing.

"I am in a battle I cannot win at work and I need some peace."

East Sussex Coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of suicide while the balance of his mind was disturbed .

He added: "It is quite clear his problems at work were, in his mind, becoming acute and constitute the only reasons he took his own life."

A statement released by the family after the hearing expressed hope that no one else would have to relive their ongoing nightmare.

In a statement, Deputy Chief Constable Giles York said: "Sussex Police is ensuring its welfare and HR policies and procedures are as supportive as possible.

"This will ensure that managers are fully aware of staff well-being and also reinforce that they know how to access services and feel properly and appropriately supported."