Binge-fuelled despair behind lawyer's 'mask'

To many the 32-year-old appeared to have everything – a flourishing career, multi-million-pound home and loving home life.

But he was caught in the grip of alcoholism which sparked desperate episodes of depression and suicidal thoughts.

All were laid bare in his final hours in a chaotic armed seine at his 2.2m home in Markham Square, Chelsea, as harrowing talks between him and a police negotiator became increasingly fraught .

The drunken family law specialist pleaded to speak to his wife to say goodbye after telling the senior officer it would be painless to die.

After a stand-off lasting hours, an inquest found yesterday that police marksmen acted lawfully when he levelled his 12-bore shotgun at them.

He died from injuries inflicted when seven police officers shot him from rooms and rooftops overlooking his home's third-storey kitchen. This was sparked after he fired his shotgun through the window during rambling phone conversations with negotiators.

The inquest heard the barrister had been battling alcoholism for several years and often disappeared during drunken binges which were followed by bouts of depression and violent mood swings.

At the time of his death he was three times the legal drink-driving limit, after consuming the equivalent of two bottles of wine, was on prescribed Prozac and had recently taken cocaine.

His last moments as he opened a window, leaned outside and replied to police screaming "put the gun down" that he could not hear them were filmed by a helicopter hovering overhead.

The inquest heard that at work, he was known for his "gutsy and polished" performances, while friends described him as charismatic and great fun. He specialised in high-value divorces and represented TV star Chris Tarrant as he split from wife Ingrid.

But he had received professional help from doctors, therapists and psychiatrists in the months and years before May 6, 2008.

Friends found his alcohol tolerance was very low, and he became non-communicative and paranoid as he continued to drink.

His drinking had been "out of control" since 2004, according to consultant psychiatrist Dr Alessia Ciani. He also tried to attend Alcoholics Anonymous, but found it was "not for him".

Mr Saunders was cautioned for being drunk and disorderly in 2005 and often had injuries from falling or fighting.

He would disappear roughly every three months on a binge, and then as he recovered found himself consumed by depression and shame.

Talks with a police negotiator showed what alcohol had done to his life, as he pleaded to speak to his wife and said he was "terrible with booze". Mr Saunders also suggested he had been unfaithful.

Following the inquest verdict yesterday, Metropolitan Police firearms officers expressed in a joint statement their "heartfelt respects to the family".

They added: "All involved only ever wanted a peaceful resolution to the incident. Firearms officers are all volunteers. They place themselves between the public and harm's way.

"Nothing can adequately prepare a police officer for the actual taking of someone's life."

Commander Christine Jones, who is responsible for north-west London boroughs, said the Met was "very proud" of its officers and that "appropriate" decisions were taken based on the risks.

"It's important to remember that the whole situation arose as a result of some decisions that were taken by Mr Saunders to fire a lethal weapon through the window," she said.

Widow's tribute to loving husband

Mark Saunders's wife, Elizabeth, is a family law specialist at Queen Elizabeth Building chambers in Temple, London, where her husband also worked.

She dabbed her eyes as the verdict was returned and said in a statement: "I did not approach the process with any pre-determined conclusions and I respect the verdict of a jury who have carefully considered all the evidence.

"I spoke at length about Mark when I gave my evidence. He was a loving and much-loved husband, son, brother and friend. He is very much missed by all who knew and cared about him."