Art dealer died of painkiller overdose

Peter Senior, 66, of Terminus Avenue, Bexhill, was found in bed by his friend Margaret Wilson.

An inquest into his death, which was held on Wednesday, heard that Mr Senior had taken more than four times the prescribed limit of codeine and more than twice the safe limit of tramadol.

Dr Roger Elias, his GP, said in a statement that Mr Senior had previously overdosed on tablets four times in his life.

He also had a history of alcohol addiction dating back to 1970 and underwent treatment in 1984 and 1989.

Dr Elias told the inquest that his patient also suffered from depression and anxiety.

He said: "His mobiity was affected severely by diabetes and neuropathy which was very painful."

Miss Wilson said she had been good friends with Mr Senior, who died on March 28, since 1999.

She said: "He had bad pains in his legs and had ongoing problems with colitis.

"He would always tell me when he had taken his medication and I would remind him of he had not.

"He sometimes went more than a day without eating only drinking water because he was in so much pain.

"Peter had poor mobility and managed to get around the flat using walking sticks but had numerous falls.

"He was very brave and battled the pain every day."

Mr Senior's neighbour Eric Pulford said: "He felt the painkillers did not work as he had been taking them for so long and his body was used to them.

"He sometimes said he wanted to take his own life but I told him life was too precious."

Coroner Alan Craze recorded an open verdict.

He said: "If Mr Senior had intended to take his own life he would have taken many more tablets."