A MAN said to have an alcohol problem died after he likely collapsed and banged his head, an inquest heard.

Neil Smith was found dead on the kitchen floor of his home in Titchfield Common on October 10 last year after concerned friends got into the house.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Smith had died from a bleed on the brain from head trauma but police found no signs of an assault or break-in, the inquest in Portsmouth heard.

Toxicology tests revealed alcohol in Mr Smith’s blood at 2.4 times the drink drive limit and pholcodine, which is used in some cough medicines, but not at a fatal level.

David Horsley, coroner for Portsmouth and South East Hampshire, said alcohol combined with the pholcodine had probably caused him to pass out and hit his head.

The 45-year-old, of Abshot Road, Titchfield Common, was described in a police report as leading a “drink dominated life” and brother Lee Smith confirmed he had an alcohol problem.

The unemployed divorcee was heavily in debt, getting financial support from his brother, the inquest heard.

Mr Horsley recorded a verdict of accidental death.

After the inquest, Lee, 51, of Romsey, said: “He was my brother and we loved him. It was just such a shame and a shock to us all.”