A FORMER military man who thought he was being persecuted was found dead in his bath.

Walter Bennett, 76, of Perrett Walk, Kidderminster, was discovered by a sheltered accommodation warden, an inquest heard.

He had superficial cuts to his neck and wrists and was fully clothed. The bath was filled with water.

Worcestershire coroner Victor Round heard Mr Bennett had told his neighbour just a few days earlier he would hang himself.

Neighbour Deirdre Lewis said she became worried when she had not seen him for several days.

In a statement Mrs Lewis said he was a "kind man" but was "very mixed up, he always thought someone was following him".

A post-mortem concluded Mr Bennett died from multiple causes.

He had suffered haemorrhaging from his cuts, had several blood cuts and heart disease.

Mr Round said at the Worcester inquest although Mr Bennett's wounds were self-inflicted he would not record a suicide verdict.

Mr Round said: "He cut himself, not deeply but it made a mess. He then got in the bath to stop it."

He recorded an open verdict.