Stewart Hamilton, who lived with mum Lillian in Roselands Avenue, drowned off Eastbourne seafront in September last year.

The 51-year-old had been receiving community psychiatric treatment for more than 10 years, was an impulsive character and suffered regular dramatic mood swings.

Mrs Hamilton told an inquest into her son's death that Stewart was a 'weak' swimmer.

She said, "We used to go to Bexhill for a day out once a month.

"One time we were there and he told me he wanted to stretch his legs for a bit. After 20 minutes I got quite worried as to where he was.
"He turned up in just his underpants and was soaking wet. He told me he'd been for a swim."

The night before his death, Stewart — who had been responding well to his treatment — told his mother, 'I don't want to be a burden to you any more'.

Mrs Hamilton added, "He said he was going into depression.

"I went upstairs to bed and said good night to him. When I went downstairs in the morning he had gone."

Mrs Hamilton reported her son's disappearance to the police and his fully-clothed body was found floating in the sea near the pier at around 11.30am that morning.

He was wearing the same clothes he had on the previous night.
Mrs Hamilton told the inquest, "I think Stewart took his own life because he thought he was going into depression."

But coroner Alan Craze ruled suicide could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt, as there were no notes left behind and no clear evidence of his intentions.

He said, "I think the fact that he was impulsive meant it would be difficult to predict his actions."

Mr Craze recorded an open verdict.