The mother of a teenage cadet who took his own life after an argument with his girlfriend has paid tribute to her “charming and fiercely determined” son.

Kristian Turner was just 17 when he stepped in front of a train at High Brooms station after becoming “heartbroken” at the breakdown of his relationship, an inquest heard.

The aspiring Royal Marine officer, of Henley-on-Thames, had been in a relationship with his girlfriend for a year, but the court heard she was unfaithful at a music festival they attended during the summer.

Kristian was unaware at the time but was told of the incident while at cadet camp in Leeds two weeks afterwards. His mother Jennifer Turner said he became “distressed with nobody to speak to.”

Kristian, the eldest of four children, made a bid to reconcile his relationship.

“He thought he could forgive her and fix it, but he couldn’t. He saw the relationship was over,” Miss Turner added.

The court heard he was scared of his own actions after the couple argued and he told his partner he was going to take his own life.

“He was asking for help, I don’t think he was fully committed to his actions,” Miss Turner told north west Kent coroner, Roger Hatch.

British Transport Police DS Lee Marshall said CCTV footage showed Kristian arriving at High Brooms station around 4pm after visiting his girlfriend.

He walked in and out of the front entrance before making his way down the train line.

Train driver Paul Kennard said in a statement read out to the court: “I saw him walk out from the undergrowth, stand in front of the train and crouch down.”

Mr Kennard immediately applied the brakes, but could not stop in time.

At Gravesend Old Town Hall on Thursday, December 4 Mr Hatch recorded the conclusion that Kristian took his own life.

"I couldn’t have been prouder of him and am grateful to have been his mother" - Jennifer Turner

Speaking after the inquest Miss Turner added: “He was a driven, highly dedicated cadet and self taught musician, rarely going anywhere without his guitar.

"He was so in love and was so heartbroken. He had a real sense of adventure and an ability to put a smile on the most reluctant of faces.

He was a self-taught musician and rarely went anywhere without his guitar. He only had to hear a tune once to be able to repeat it.

"He was a protective and fun big brother. He was known for being caring and supportive, often offering help but rarely asking for it.

“He was handsome, charming and fiercely determined to do well in everything he did. "I couldn’t have been prouder of him and am grateful to have been his mother."

Kristian's funeral was held in Buckinghamshire and his coffin was carried in to Guns N' Roses' Sweet Child of Mine.

All money raised at both the funeral and memorial service was donated to Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion.

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