AN EMOTIONALLY disturbed man prone to self-harm hanged himself using an electric flex while drunk, an inquest heard.

Stuart Wallace, 33, of Ostend Court, Kemsley, was found by his lodger hanging from a loft hatch on New Year's Eve.

The inquest into his death at Gillingham inquest court heard that Mr Wallace had a cleft lip and pallet and hearing problems and had a history of self-harm.

A statement from GP Dr Adrian Hall, of the Chestnut Surgery, East Street, read out during the inquest revealed that Mr Wallace had previously shot himself in the leg with an air rifle and taken an overdose.

Dr Hall said his patient was emotionally disturbed but described him as a mild mannered and amicable man. No relatives or friends were present at the inquest.

Mr Wallace, a shop worker, was last seen on December 30 when he left work. Colleagues said he seemed his usual self.

But his lodger returned home the following morning to find Mr Wallace hanging from the loft. Music was playing in the front room and there were empty and half-drunk beer cans in the house.

Det Sgt Trevor Lawry of Swale Police said no suicide note was found.

A post mortem examination revealed that Mr Wallace was the equivalent of four times over the drink-driving limit. He had 340mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

Coroner Roger Sykes recorded an open verdict but confirmed that the cause of death was suspension due to alcohol intoxication.

He said: "He had been drinking rather heavily and clearly would have been severely intoxicated and incapable of rational thought.

"In these circumstances I am unable to satisfy beyond reasonable doubt that he took the actions he did with the intention of bringing about his own death."