A man found hanged at his home in Ramsgate suffered back pain, had split from his long-term partner and recently lost his dog, an inquest has heard.

But 54-year-old unemployed electrician Brian Tull had not revealed to family and friends that he was feeling suicidal.

His body was discovered at the property in Central Road by his former partner, with whom he had remained friends.

Lesley Willis had known Mr Tull for almost 40 years and she called at his home on March 8 after being unable to contact him on the phone.

She told assistant coroner Ian Goldup at Canterbury Coroners' Court she had her own set of keys and let herself in, only to make the tragic discovery in the hallway.

Miss Willis said she had spoken to Mr Tull the previous day, adding: “We had a normal chit-chat and he was fine.”

Evidence from Mr Tull's GP, who saw him for a check-up in December, revealed his patient had back and neck pain from a past fall he suffered in the building industry and was feeling stressed about the end of his relationship and tearful because his dog had died.

A police investigation following his death did not reveal any third-party involvement but found a previous attempt to take his life in the 1990s with painkillers because of back pain.

But there was no recent indication that he was depressed.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that death was due to suspension, but the pathologist said toxicology tests for alcohol and drugs were not significant.

Recording that Mr Tull had taken his own life, the assistant coroner said: “There was no expression of intention but by the means in which death occurred, I have to conclude it was suicide."

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