A SOUTHAMPTON man died in hospital after taking an overdose of painkillers, an inquest heard.

John Setchell, of Heathfield Close, died on August 29 two days after he deliberately took the drugs, but then changed his mind and took himself to Southampton General Hospital.

Senior coroner for Southampton and the New Forest, Grahame Short, heard how the 55-year-old had a history of psychotic depression and taking overdoses.

Mr Setchell also had a dependency on alcohol, drinking around two litres of cider a day, the inquest heard.

Recording a verdict that Mr Setchell’s death was drug-related after his liver was irreparably damaged, Mr Short said: “I cannot be sure this was a deliberate act to end his life.”