Robert Wardrop was found by officers from Thames Valley Police after neighbours at Elm Park Court became concerned for his welfare

Robert Wardrop lived alone at Elm Park Court and became increasingly frustrated by a condition called cerebral ataxia after his distant family came to visit him in May, an inquest heard.

Neighbours contacted police after they had not seen him for weeks and when emergency services forced entry to his flat he was found lying on the floor.

Investigating officers attended his address on May 9 following reports of a fear for welfare and neighbours said it was out of character for him not to respond.

The 54-year-old was found to have five times the toxic amount of paracetamol in his blood. 

The post-mortem also found a large quantity of dark fluid in his stomach and signs of a recent haemorrhage.

Wardrop, who previously struggled with anxiety and depression, was offered help from speech and language therapy specialists, but he refused.

Speaking at the inquest at Reading Town Hall on Thursday, August 10, Peter Bedford, senior coroner for Berkshire, ruled suicide as the cause of death after officers found a note and a recently signed will stashed among paperwork at his home.

He concluded: "He clearly had a significant problem with speech and mobility and found it painfully distressing.

"It is clear he intended to end his own life, particularly when you take into account the significant levels of paracetamol in his blood.

"It is clear this was deliberate and his struggle with his speech and mobility were a factor."