A CORONER has recorded an open verdict at an inquest into the death of a man who fell from the first floor window of his home.

Charles Gebhard, 83, of Allan Road, Whitstable, was found seriously injured in his driveway in the early hours by his wife.

Rosalina Gebhard told the hearing that she had been woken in the night by a thud and his cry for help.

Mr Gebhard, who was a former head of art at an adult studies centre in Camden, suffered multiple fractures and died in hospital on January 16, 11 days after the fall.

The inquest was told how he had complained of insomnia in the days leading up to the fall and visited his doctor who had prescribed sleeping tablets. He had also revealed he was feeling depressed and was trying to cut his alcohol intake.

Mrs Gebhard told the coroner that on the day of the fall he seemed quite anxious about his sleep problem.

When she discovered him injured, she found he had climbed out of a window on to a ledge before falling onto the concrete below. She said he later told her that he had “slipped and fallen".

She believed he may have been trying to get out of the house via the window because the front door was locked and he did not have a key.

But a hospital doctor told the hearing that when questioned, Mr Gebhard would not reveal to them whether it was an accident or a suicide attempt.

Recording an open verdict, North Kent coroner Rebecca Cobb said there was insufficient evidence to show Mr Gebhard had deliberately jumped from the window.