THE shell-shocked mother of a high-flying banker who hanged himself after being sucked into gambling and drugs last night warned: “Don’t let this happen to your child”.

Tragic James Paget, 28, killed himself after racking up £60,000-worth of credit card bills and loan charges to fund a secret gambling habit and cocaine addiction that not even his girlfriend or family knew about.

Mother Barbara, of Ainsdale, thought her son – a senior banking manager at Lloyds TSB – had long overcome a university addiction that saw him spend thousands on internet poker and powerful drugs.

But, in his high-earning bank job, the former Ainsdale Hope and KGV student spiralled back into trouble after accessing loans and high-value credit cards with ease.

Mr Paget – described as a gentle giant – was found collapsed by the stairs in his new Maghull home in July after failing to turn up for work.

Barbara, of Cornwall Way, said: “I can’t believe he is dead, it’s not something I will ever come to terms with. I just keep telling myself he is at peace now and no longer tormenting himself.

“The most shocking thing is how happy he seemed. He had met a girl and moved into his house. He kept it all secret. Maybe he felt as if I wouldn’t have been proud of him, but I always was. I loved him, he was my son.”