A SOUTHAMPTON man who hanged himself near the River Itchen may have tried to shoplift meat that day in a bid to reunite with his ex-girlfriend, an inquest heard.

Jamie Lovell's body was discovered near Vespasian Road, Bitterne, on April 25.

The coroner said there was "unsatisfactory evidence" in the case but suggested Mr Lovell may have been searching for his ex-partner's new house in Bitterne to share a barbecue.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard how the 38-year-old had been detained in Southampton’s city centre Asda store for attempting to steal meat worth £12.

After the supermarket decided not to press charges, Mr Lovell was given a banning order barring him from the city centre for the rest of the day.

However, he was then spotted by CCTV operators entering Tesco, before being stopped by police officers again, who found him carrying a bottle of Corona beer.

He was escorted from the city centre.

Mr Lovell's twin brother Timothy, who lives on the Isle of Wight, told the inquest that his brother had threatened suicide in the past.

“I never thought he would ever do it,” he said.

“He was in good spirits when he came and saw me on April 23. We watched Blackadder together.”

The court also heard how Mr Lovell’s former girlfriend, Kirsty Hillier, had recently got back in touch to resolve a long-term dispute.

“He would get angry when we spoke about her,” added Timothy.

“She said we should all go for lunch soon.

“I can only assume he stole the meat because he always liked having barbecues and he went looking for Kirsty’s new house in Bitterne to have a barbecue with her.”

It was heard the pair broke up because Jamie had got back into contact with a group of people associated with drug use.

Senior coroner Grahame Short recorded a conclusion of suicide.

He said: “The evidence in this case is unsatisfactory I have to say.

“I have no evidence as to what Jamie did or what was in his mind.

“It seems he may have been going to Bitterne in search of his former girlfriend.

“I think that this break-up was at the heart of his problems and why he felt so desperate.”