A VERDICT is due to be delivered today in the inquest into the death of a Navy officer shot dead on board a nuclear submarine berthed in Southampton.

City coroner Keith Wiseman this morning adjourned the hearing to finalise his judgement, which is expected to include recommendations for changes to procedure over the issuing of guns on Royal Navy vessels.

The inquest into Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux's death on board HMS Astute has heard his killer, Able Seaman Ryan Donovan had been drinking heavily in the 48 hours before he went on his shooting spree.

He had also told colleagues he intended to shoot someone.

Father-of-four Lt Cdr Molyneux, 36, was shot in the head at point blank range as he attempted to confront Donovan, after he began firing his semi-automatic SA80 rifle.

He died at the scene from his injuries.

Donovan, who was 22 at the time of the incident in April 2011, is currently serving a life sentence for murder and attempted murder, after admitting carrying out the shooting.