Partner remembers lost soulmate

AN insight into the last desperate months of Amanda Bennett's life was given in a tear-filled tribute today by her former partner.

Miss Bennett, who lived in the Whitton area of Ipswich, collapsed at the rear of shops in Cambridge Drive around 7.30pm on Wednesday.

Frantic attempts were made at the scene to save the mother-of three's life. However, after being taken to Ipswich Hospital where she remained for two days, the 42-year-old died early yesterday.

Today, her ex-boyfriend told her kindness and how he felt she had been let down in her battle against alcoholism.

Although it had been said Miss Bennett took drugs, he said as far as he was concerned that was not the case.

Shortly after hearing of Miss Bennett's death the man, who did not want to be named, said: “Amanda was kind-hearted and my soulmate. She has taken part of me away today.

“Amanda would give her last penny to anyone. She was very popular.

“Amanda was a beautiful person on the inside. If you were close to her she would protect you and loved you to bits.”

He said Miss Bennett had been desperately striving to overcome her addiction to alcohol in the six or seven months before her death.

Her ex-partner felt Miss Bennett, who he said was about to become a grandmother, needed more help and support in her attempts to beat the illness, but it was not forthcoming.

He said: “I feel the system has let her down. She has been asking for help and everyone's failed her. It's a disgrace.”

One of his fondest recollections of Miss Bennett was the way the met couple in March 2005.

Her former partner, who lives in north-west Ipswich, said: “She nipped my backside over at the Co-op in Meredith Road, gave me a cheeky grin and gave me her number.”

Although their relationship eventually came to an end, the pair remained friends following their parting around six months ago.

The ex-boyfriend said: “Our relationship drifted apart. We both still wanted to be with each other, but it just wasn't possible.”

Miss Bennett spent last Friday and Saturday night at his house in north-west Ipswich, before leaving on Sunday morning.

The last time they saw each other was at Tower Ramparts in Ipswich two days before Miss Bennett's fatal collapse.

The man said: “She seemed upbeat. She said 'I will phone you later'.”

However, he said the phone call never came.