Gardener died after fall outside his St Leonards home

Adrian Patrick Lott was discovered outside his assisted accommodation following a night out, the inquest at Eastbourne Town Hall heard on Thursday (September 24).

Mr Lott suffered with alcohol issues, the court heard, and had been living at the Gensing Rest Home in London Road, which looks after those with a history of substance misuse.

The 62-year-old went out on November 22, 2019, and returned home some hours later, the inquest heard.

Officers said he had fallen over a low wall by the front door of the home into a basement area of the building.

Detective Sergeant Louise Sparks said the wall was knee height, with a break in the railings.

Mr Lott’s body was found the next day by a care assistant, the inquest heard.

A toxicology report discovered high levels of alcohol in his system.

The inquest, which is open to the public and members of the press who are permitted to report the proceedings in full, heard his death was due to a fall which resulted in severe head injuries.

East Sussex coroner Alan Craze concluded Mr Lott’s death was an alcohol-related accident.

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