An inquest has been held into the death of an Otford man which sparked a murder investigation.

Detectives began the probe after Russell Jarrett was found with severe head injuries at his Otford home in February.

The 53-year-old, of Twitton Meadows, was last seen outside his property in the early hours of the morning after drinking at The Crown Pub, in the High Street.

Later that day a friend of Mr Jarrett's used a public telephone to call 999 and told paramedics the Dartford-born man had "bumped his head and needed medical attention".

The inquest, held at Gravesend Old Town Hall today, was told the friend gave false details to the responder.

Det Ch Insp, Tony Ledger, who gave evidence during the hearing, said: "There was also some confusion between ambulance services as it was initially said some people ran out of the address on the ambulance's attendance."

Senior coroner, Roger Hatch, was told Mr Jarrett was found with a "significant skull fracture" which caused a brain injury and a 3cm x 3cm circular fracture on his right cheek bone.

He was transferred to hospital in Farnborough before being taken to King's College Hospital where he died from his injuries nine days later.

The fractures led police to believe Mr Jarrett, who was unemployed, had been assaulted and a homicide investigation was launched.

Two men and a woman - who were with the 53-year-old the evening before his death - were arrested on suspicion of murder, but later released without charge.

The court heard an eye witness came forward and told police they saw Mr Jarrett fall down the steps of The Crown Pub and sustain the skull injury, which a pathology report concluded was consistent with someone falling backwards.

DCI Pledger said Mr Jarrett had a limited circle of family and friends but relationships with his brother and sister were strained by his alcohol dependency.

"Mr Jarrett had a 20-year relationship with a woman who died of kidney failure in 2014, he struggled after this and battled with alcohol," DCI Pledger added.

Senior coroner, Roger Hatch, was told Mr Jarrett was released from prison in June 2014. He was sentenced to 60 days after being convicted of cultivating cannabis in his home.

DCI Pledger added: "This is relevant because it was probable other people were using his home to cultivate cannabis. This is an example of how his alcohol dependence and trusting nature led others to take advantage of his position."

The medical cause of death was given as complications with head injury, but Mr Hatch recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Speaking after the hearing Mr Jarrett's sister-in-law, Pauline Jarrett said: "We are just happy it's all over. It's better to know it was an accident than someone else's involvement. But we will never truly know what happened.

"It's been such a long process and we're pleased it is over. Russell was so generous and a loving person he really was lovely.

"It's just so sad because he was still so young and such a wonderful man."

Mr Jarrett's nephew, Callum, said: "He was such a caring and trustworthy person, it's incredibly sad."