A MAN who had his sickness benefits stopped was found dead on a beach just a matter of days later.

David Metcalfe was found on the shore at Horden but an inquest into his death heard there was no evidence to show how he got there from his Hartlepool home or how he came to be in the sea.

The 54-year-old, who was described as a loner, was found on the beach at Grants Houses on Tuesday, January 3, four days after being visited by police and a mental health nurse at his home in Arch Court, Hartlepool, after concerns were raised about his state of mind.

When his body was discovered, he was almost fully clothed, apart from socks and underpants, and was wearing gloves – as though he has been out for a walk, the court heard.

But County Durham and Darlington assistant coroner Crispin Oliver said it was impossible to say whether David Metcalfe had meant to enter the water.

An inquest at Crook coroner’s court heard a post-mortem showed signs of drowning and hypothermia caused by immersion in the sea.

The coroner said Mr Metcalfe was a 'solitary individual,’ with no family or real friends.

And his only acquaintance was an elderly garage owner who called the police to raise concerns about Mr Metcalf's welfare after he gave him his car keys and bank documents, saying he would not need them any more.

Detective Sergeant Gary Davison, of Peterlee CID, told the hearing that Mr Metcalfe had a cut to the head but it was believed that it had happened when he was in the water.

The officer said they were unable to ascertain how Mr Metcalfe came to be at Horden or how he ended up in the water.

A report from a mental health nurse who attended Mr Metcalfe's home on December 30 said: "David was signed off sick for nine years due to anxiety, stress and panic attacks. “He has recently been deemed fit for work and told he would need to go to the JobCentre to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance.

“He said he was frustrated and upset and thought ‘What’s the point?’

“He feels he needs someone to go with him to the JobCentre so they can sort this out for him. “He feels frustrated at having his benefits stopped and finds it difficult to communicate with staff at the JobCentre.”

Recording an open verdict, Mr Oliver said “I simply cannot come to the conclusion beyond reasonable doubt that he intended to kill himself and, therefore, the suicide conclusion is not available.

“Despite the best efforts of the police, there is no conclusive evidence as to how Mr Metcalfe came to be in the sea."