AN ABERGAVENNY resident described as a loner committed suicide whilst depressed, Newport Coroner's Court heard.

Martin O'Connor, 48, was found dead in his flat at Pen Y Pound, Abergavenny, by police on July 2 laying face up on his bed.

Deputy Gwent coroner Wendy James read a statement from his mother, Joan Faulker, who described how he was born in Middlesborough, moved with his family to South Africa when he was three-years-old but moved back to the UK when he was 13-years-old following the death of his father.

Following a spell as an apprentice jockey in America he moved to Abergavenny in 2004 for employment at a racing stables.

She said that he become ill, suffering from pancreatitis and diabetes and as a result was unable to work for three years, becoming depressed.

Mr O'Connor was last seen alive by his neighbour, Myo Than Kyaw, on June 29 at 3pm. In a statement he said Mr O'Connor had been a neighbour for 13 months, had I got know him by sight but on July 2 he identified his body to Police Sergeant Persey.

Mr O'Connor's body was discovered by PS Persey at 6.45pm on July 2, situated on the bed and rigor mortis had set in it.

A note was found by the body which despite being dated July 29 PS Persey identified it as the note he found.

PS Persey said he spoke to Mr O'Connor's landlady who described how he came to live in Abergavenny, was a loner who often drunk in the town's Wetherspoon and was in a relationship which ended shortly before his death.

He was also questioned by police for allegedly shoplifting from Tesco in the town a few days before his death.

PS Persey concluded that no third party had be involved.

Post-mortem results were inconclusive but a toxicology report found five different drugs in his system, including diazepam, tramadol, fluoxetine and paracetamol.

Deputy Gwent coroner Wendy James said, "In the days leading up to his death he had been questioned following an allegation of shop lifting.

"A note was found, the contents leave me in no doubt the state of his mind."

She said that when Mr O'Connor's body was discovered, rigor mortis has set in suggesting he had been laying in his flat for some time, decomposition hampered a toxicology test but a level of drugs were found. Had he been discovered sooner, the level of drugs might have been higher.

She added, "At the time of his death, Mr O'Connor had been thinking of the breakdown of his relationship which was exasperated by the shop lifting. I have no doubt Mr O'Connor's death deliberate and intentional."

Verdict: Suicide while depressed.