A Trowbridge man whose body was discovered in his flat last year after he failed to turn up to work committed suicide, a Wiltshire coroner has ruled.

Salisbury Coroners Court heard how Jason Darling was found sat on the sofa in his living room on Frome Road by police who had forced entry into the property on the evening of July 6, 2015.

It has been concluded that Mr Darling intentionally overdosed for a second time on a codeine following his relationship breakdown and could have been dead for up to two days.

His ex-partner Vicky Modell described Mr Darling as a “quiet man who never talked about his family.” She said he spent most of his time coding programmes on his computer or playing games and that they rarely went out.

In her statement she said: “When we were good, we were great but his personality could change in an instance.”

The coroner David Ridley told the courts how Miss Modell left Mr Darling in mid-June following his behaviour towards her, which included taking drugs prescribed for her.

After attempting to contact her for a considerable period of time, Mr Darling gave Miss Modell’s mother a letter and did not attempt to contact her again but on July 4 she grew concerned after for him after she heard from a friend that the “usually reliable” computer fanatic had not turned up for his shift at work.

He was last seen on July 4 paying his rent and at approximately 6.55pm on July 6, PC Rebecca Mitchell and PC Christine Wells attended the property to find the body of Mr Darling. PC Wells later confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Consulting the Senior Pathologist at Salisbury District Hospital, Matthew Flynn’s evidence, the court heard how the fatal amount of dihydrocodeine was 2 to 3 milligrams and that Mr Darling was “well over that.”

In his conclusion, Coroner Ridley said: “I can conclude that at some point after July 4, Jason consumed a large quantity of drugs which caused his death.

“I am sure that he died here by actions initiated by himself – taking tablets to do this.

“I am also sure that when Jason took the medication he intended to take his own life and I will record his death as suicide.”

He added: “I give my sincere condolences to his family and friends at this time.”