AN OPEN verdict was recorded on the death of a 40-year-old father of six found slumped with a belt around his neck.

Mark Brocklehurst, of Fosse Close, Cirencester, was found dead in a field off London Road, near Poulton, Fairford on September 1 last year, Cotswold Coroner Lester Madrell heard.

Mr Brocklehurst had earlier received psychiatric help in Warrington and Cheltenham.

His mother, Margaret Simister, said her son moved to Cirencester three years ago where he met Kathryn Farrelly.

Miss Farrelly said on the morning of August 30 she awoke to find Mr Brocklehurst clearing out the house and saying he was being evicted.

Miss Farrelly told police he had also been worried about bailiffs coming for non payment of council tax and often sat on the stairs at night worried someone was coming for him.

As well as being addicted to heroin, Mr Brocklehurst had been diagnosed with epilepsy and told her that doctors had found that he had hepatitis B and C.

His body was found by James Bryce, who owned the land where Mr Brocklehurst had died.

Pathologist Nadir Hasan said that Mr Brocklehurst had died from hanging.