Children mutilated the feet of a badly burnt body they found in tunnels at an old fort, an inquest heard.

Uncertainty still surrounds the death of Gregory Chung whose burnt and decomposing body was found at the Beacon Hill fort at Harwich on July 17.

A murder inquiry was launched but the inquest at Weeley heard it was probable Mr Chung set fire to himself.

Originally the body was so badly burnt identification was impossible and DNA testing was ultimately used to solve the mystery after Mr Chung's mother came forward on August 3 to say he was missing.

The hearing was told how Mr Chung, 23, died due to a fire causing cardio-respiratory failure.

Essex Coroner Dr Malcolm Weir recorded an open verdict as he said it was impossible to say with certainty Mr Chung wanted to set fire to himself.

Acting Det Insp Mick Ornellas said Mr Chung's body had been discovered by two men who reported their grizly find to police.

But he went on to say it was later discovered children had found the body several days beforehand and had damaged the body particularly around the ankles.

Mr Chung had been heard to leave his home at the Kwei Ming Chinese restaurant in Church Street, Harwich, on July 12 and smoke was later seen over the fort.

This tied in with forensic reports suggesting Mr Chung's body had lain in the tunnels since that time.

At Wednesday's inquest, Dr Michael Heath said injuries had been inflicted to the body after death.

He said: "There were fractures to the ankle region which could not have been caused before the body was burnt."

Mr Ornellas said the body had been disturbed by children.

He said: "The injuries caused post mortem were attributed to their actions."

Dr Heath said the injuries to the ankles were consistent with something like a brick being dropped on the body but added other elements of the injury pointed to something sharper being used like a knife.

The inquest heard police were confident no-one else had been involved in the death but it remained unclear if Mr Chung had meant to take his life.

Mr Ornellas said: "He had access to white spirit and a box of matches was missing from his bedroom."

Dr Malcolm Weir summed up: "All the evidence points to the fact this occurred of his own doing. However, there is no evidence to suggest he intended to take his life."

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