A MAN killed himself in a Southampton flat days after assuring police that he was not suicidal, an inquest heard yesterday.

Alan Batt, 54, was found dead by a cleaner at the property in Channel Way, Ocean Village, in October.

Avon and Somerset Police initially investigated after a relative found a suicide note at his home in Bristol. Another note was also found at the Southampton flat and a post-mortem revealed that he took a fatal overdose of animal tranquilisers.

A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset police confirmed that they spoke to Mr Batt on October 1 but he assured them that he was not in danger.

She said: “We spoke to Mr Batt on the telephone, who advised he was safe and well, but officers wanted to visit him in person to make sure. Mr Batt gave officers an address in Southampton so we asked Hampshire police to carry out a welfare check.”

Hampshire police confirmed that they visited him in Channel Road, where he told them that he was not feeling suicidal and would be returning home on October 2.

The inquest also heard that he had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease but his prognosis was unknown.

Coroner Keith Wiseman said: “It may have been a matter that he was very concerned about.”

Mr Wiseman recorded a verdict of suicide.