AN inquest jury yesterday returned an open verdict into the death of a man who jumped from a pedestrian ramp at the entrance of a police station after asking to be taken back into custody.

Alcoholic Anthony Joyce, 37, who had been arrested for assaulting his wife, fell about 30ft from a ramp leading to the foyer of Gateshead East police headquarters, in September 2002.

An inquest in Newcastle was told he had returned to the police station, hours after his release, in an agitated state saying members of his wife's family were going to kill him.

In its finding, the jury said Mr Joyce deliberately jumped from the parapet of the ramp.

"We believe that he was not rational at the time and that he did not fully understand the significance of his actions," they said.

"It is our opinion that he was seeking help and did not intend to kill himself."

Detective Constable Mark Newport said that as he walked out of the police station, Mr Joyce scaled the wall and appeared to be in a confused state saying "they are going to get me", before jumping.

The father-of-four had been arrested the night before following a disturbance at his home. Mr Joyce, who admitted having assaulted his wife, was apprehensive about leaving the station.