A DAD-OF-TWO died after overdosing on prescription drugs, an inquest heard.

Tomasz Szymczak from Southampton was found dead in his car on the Belgrave Industrial Estate by his ex-partner on January 4.

During the inquest, Winchester Coroner's Court heard evidence from his GP Dr Laura Regan.

Her statement said the 42-year-old, who worked as a builder, was prescribed painkillers Gabapentin and Tramadol for chronic back pain following a fall from a step ladder in August 2014.

The inquest heard how his life started to spiral out of control and he split up with his partner of 13 years, Katarzyna Kotwnsksa, in May 2015.

She told the hearing how he had a drinking problem, saying he had left her home in December 2015, angry she had not visited him regularly in hospital after he suffered a stroke in November.

The inquest heard how she found him in his car after she was driving past the industrial estate.

She originally thought he was asleep in the vehicle, but when she noticed he was not responding she shook him and then phoned emergency services.

PC Graeme Whippy, who attended the scene on January 4, said beer cans were discovered in the car and the death was not treated as suspicious.

Pathologist Dr Sanjay Jogai said there was evidence of a small haemorrhage in Mr Szymczak's brain relating to a stroke.

Dr Jogai said the main finding of his post mortem were "significant" levels of Gabapentin and Tramadol.

Senior coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict of drug-related death, but said it was “likely” the overdose was deliberate.

Mr Shorte, said: “Mr Szymczak made his life in this country and had no problems until August 2014, when he fell from a step ladder and as a result suffered chronic pain, unfortunately he also seemed to have drank alcohol in excess, as a result of that his relationship with his partner came to an end.

“It is right to say his life went downhill after and by the beginning of January he was living in his car because he had nowhere else to go. He also had a stroke but I am satisfied that did not cause his death.”

“It is probably he took a deliberate overdose but I have no evidence signalling his intentions.”