A former window fitter found dead in a Herne Bay field was spotted by a shocked passer-by who saw a pale hand sticking out of a drainage ditch, an inquest has heard.

Paul Reeve, 46, was found in the field behind Chartwell Avenue, in Beltinge, last April, after being reported missing earlier in the month.

The Margate resident was found by a passer-by who was out walking in the field on April 11 last year.

The inquest at Margate Magistrates Court on Tuesday found Mr Reeve’s death was alcohol related and he had suffered hypothermia complications.

In a witness statement read out in court, Aidan Keogh said: “I was walking, letting off some steam after an argument. I had stormed out of the house and went into the field near my house.

“I crossed the wooden footbridge and entered the field. It was late in the afternoon and I was unsure of the time.

“I was walking along a narrow ledge of grass heading towards the drainage ditch.

“I then saw a pale hand sticking out from the ditch. I then saw a man laying on his back.

“I could see his fingers were bending in slightly.

“I thought to myself it was a dead body and turned back and ran as fast as I could home to tell my parents.”

Police were called at about 5.30pm and the body was taken to the QEQM hospital in Margate.

Days earlier, Highfields resident Russell Mount, whose house backs on to the field, heard voices coming from the area on April 1 – the same day Mr Reeve was reported missing from Margate.

In his witness statement, read out in court, Mr Mount told how he looked over his garden fence and saw a man sitting there who appeared drunk.

His wife thought she could hear another man talking when she looked through the fence, but could only see one person.

In the early hours of the next morning, Mr Mount set off for work at 2.30am – and could still hear voices coming from the field.

He said he “could hear the men shouting and screaming” and called the police who attended, but could not find anyone.

Mr Mount did not think any more of it until ambulance crews were seen in the field more than a week later, on April 11, when Mr Keogh had found the body.

Mr Mount said he “could only imagine they had found one of the men who were arguing”.

Police officer Acting Detective Sergeant Carr: “Mr Mount called the police to report this and left for work.

“Police attended, however couldn’t find anyone or hear anything.

“The explanation for this is that the exact location in this large crop field couldn’t be obtained.”

ADS Carr, who attended the scene when the body was found, added: “The body could be seen half submerged, lying on his back in a drainage ditch.

“We established he was living alone at a home address and was a heavy drinker. He hadn’t mentioned he wanted to take his own life.

“He didn’t have any injuries on him.”

Mr Reeve’s daughter Karen Kett, from Watford, paid tribute to her dad, saying: “He was a funny character but everyone liked him. I loved him. He was a funny drunk, let’s put it that way. I think it’s just a shame, the circumstances that’s all.

“He was a colourful character.”

Coroner Ian Goldup recorded Mr Reeve’s death was alcohol related and he had suffered hypothermia complications.