A 39-year-old man discovered hanging from a bridge over a busy link road had marital problems, an inquest was told.

Julian Bishop, a domestic appliance engineer, of Norman Close, Wigmore, Gillingham, took his own life, coroner Roger Sykes found. Death was due to suspension.

Det Sgt Derek Littler said that on June 23 Mr Bishop was found suspended from the Fairview Avenue bridge over Hoath Way, Gillingham, by a nylon rope attached to a heavy duty sling.

He had been married for 12 years, but had been told that his wife was applying for divorce following domestic incidents in which he was verbally abusive.

He said Mr Bishop had a drink problem, brought about by chronic pain following hip operations.

At the time of his death he was banned from driving following an incident when he had driven while over the limit.

Verdict: suicide.