A POPULAR Hampshire man died in his sleep after suffering from a rare heart disorder which causes sudden death, an inquest heard.

The body of Ian Allen was discovered lying on a sofa by his girlfriend Jo Wallace following a night in with his friends.

Southampton Coroner’s Court heard the 25-year-old had suffered from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome – a rare condition which causes the heart to stop – while he had been sleeping.

The night before, Ian had enjoyed a curry and some beers with three friends at his home in Whitworth Crescent, Bitterne Park, Southampton.

His friends had left the house at around 4am on December 16.

His girlfriend, who had spent the night at a friend’s house in Shirley, returned home to find Mr Allen dead on the sofa.

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Det Sgt Stuart Barton told the court Mr Allen’s death was not suspicious.

Pathologist Vipul Foria said a post-mortem examination showed Mr Allen’s heart had failed suddenly, probably while he was asleep.

Coroner Gordon Denson recorded a verdict of death from natural causes.

Mr Allen, a former Mansbridge and Bitterne Park schoolboy, trained as a joiner at Southampton City College and worked at TW Clark for seven years.

He was a keen footballer, playing for Sunday league team Trants FC, and also loved music.

Following his death, Mr Allen’s mother Carmel said: “He was everything – a loving son to me, a fantastic brother to Neil and a brilliant boyfriend to Jo.

“Ian was hugely popular, he could seem quiet but not with his family or when he was out with friends.

“He touched so many people and as a mother I’m extremely proud of him and his achievements.

He was a very sensitive and caring boy.

“He had a cheeky grin that everyone used to comment on, that was him. There wasn’t anything I could find to fault about him, he was lovely.”