AN elderly dementia sufferer poisoned himself after mistaking fabric stain remover granules for instant coffee in a tragic accident at home, an inquest has heard.

John Guttridge made cups of what he thought were drinks for himself and wife Ann, but both fell seriously ill within minutes of starting to sip it.

The couple were rushed from their home in Hartlepool to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton for emergency treatment.

But 83-year-old Mr Guttridge died in the hospital on July 16, a coroner in Middlesbrough was told.

Evidence of identification was given at the brief hearing by Mrs Guttridge, a 79-year-old retired doctor.

The inquest heard from acting senior coroner for Teesside, Claire Bailey, who said Mr Guttridge suffered from dementia and “used fabric stain remover instead of coffee granules”.

In a statement to the hearing, held at Middlesbrough Town Hall, Mrs Guttridge said: “Both my husband and I were taken to the hospital of North Tees.

“But there was no antidote to the poison. I was with him at his sad death.”

Ms Bailey adjourned the inquest until a later date.