A MAN suffering from mental health problems bought a bread knife from Tesco before stabbed himself to death with it, an Inquest heard.

Grant Bull was found dead by police in Pitsea Hall Drive, Pitsea, on the morning of Monday, May 8 2006.

At an inquest at Chelmsford Coroner's Court today (Thursday) the court heard how Mr Bull, 31, of Crest Hill Avenue, Grays, had left the home he shared with his parents on the previous Saturday night.

Police found him clasping the bread knife on a construction site near to the Pitsea Flyover. He died of cuts to the neck and arms.

Mum Susan Bull, told the court how she blames Finasteride, the medication prescribed to her son in the weeks leading up to his death, for changing his character.

Dad Terry said: "Grant had lived with us for four years prior to his death.

"We knew his every mood. It was after taking Finasteride that his character changed.

"We feel in our hearts that this was part of the cause."

Chief Inspector Mark Wheeler was one of the first officers on the scene.

He said: "When I arrived I immediately took the view that this was suspicious but there was a number of things that took my mind in another direction.

"There was a bread knife in the crook of his left arm.

"There was also packaging for the breadknife and a receipt for it in his wallet."

Mr Bull was seen on CCTV buying the bread knife on Sunday night at Tesco in Pitsea.

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: "It is beyond reasonable doubt that he intended to take his own life and that is why I am recording a verdict that Grant killed himself while suffering from a diagnosed mental illness."