An open verdict has been recorded after a man drowned in a lake in Braintree.

The body of Philip Haines, 53, of Beech Avenue, Braintree, was found in the lake in Convent Lane at 1.30pm on December 3 last year.

At Chelmsford Coroner's Court last Thursday, coroner's officer Pc Derek Sewell, told the court that Mr Haines, a gardener, had attempted to take his own life the month before and was an alcoholic.

"He was upset about the break up of a relationship and had attempted to take his life in November. He was also known to be an alcoholic and was on medication for it. His body was found in the lake in a quarry area," he said.

Although police first treated Mr Haines' death as suspicious, they later said no third party was involved.

A pathologist's report by Dr Michael Heath, which was read out in court, said there were no wounds on the body and added: "No drugs were found in his system but he had a blood alcohol level of 295."

Mr Haines' brother Robert added: "We last saw him three days before. It came as a big shock when we found out."

Paul Roberts of Coldnailhurst Avenue, who knew Mr Haines from the Spread Eagle pub, said he saw him staggering by the lake beforehand, but thought nothing of it.

Caroline Beasley-Murray, assistant deputy coroner, who heard that it was very windy when Mr Haines died, said: "No-one will really know exactly what happened. I shall record an open verdict. I would like to express deep sympathy to the family."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.