AN elderly man killed himself by jumping from the tenth floor of a block of flats in Southampton, an inquest heard.

Albert Pearce plunged 100ft to his death from the balcony of his apartment in Canberra Towers, Weston.

Southampton Coroner’s Court heard that just days before his death Mr Pearce, aged 68, had told doctors he was feeling “increasingly depressed and isolated”.

The court was told Mr Pearce, who “kept himself to himself”, had previously told his GP that he had considered killing himself following the death of his elderly father.

DC Sue Hampton from Bitterne CID said three Canberra Towers residents had reported hearing a loud thud shortly after 1.40pm on October 2.

When they went to see what it was they found a man’s body on the pavement which was later identified by a warden as Mr Pearce.

Paramedics were called to the scene at Kingsclere Avenue but Mr Pearce was pronounced dead.

DC Hampton said Mr Pearce’s flat had been locked from the inside and protective netting covering the balcony had been cut away.

A stool with Mr Pearce’s footprints on it was found pushed up against the balcony.

Pathologist Dr Brian Green said Mr Pearce had suffered multiple fractures to his spine, ribs and pelvis in the fall, as well as severe internal injuries.

Coroner Keith Wiseman said: “We shall never know exactly what was in Mr Pearce’s mind at the time.

“A recent doctor’s visit indicated all was not well but there was nothing to indicate anything as sudden or disastrous was going to occur.”

Recording a verdict of suicide, Mr Wiseman said: “It would be very difficult to get the outcome that happened without Mr Pearce intending it.”