A man living in a city care home "forcibly opened" the door to his medicine cabinet in order to end his own life, a court has heard.

Ian Trueman, born April 17, 1956, was found dead in his wheelchair at Webster Court care home in Lakenfields on March 18 this year. He was 67 years old.

An inquest, held at Norfolk Coroner's Court, heard the medical cause of death was "multiple drug toxicity".

A report from police sergeant Chapman said: "Paramedics declared Mr Trueman dead at the scene who was in his wheelchair, in the kitchen.

The medical cause of death was multiple drug toxicityThe medical cause of death was multiple drug toxicity (Image: Newsquest)

"There was medication around him and after checking the packaging it would be enough to cause death by overdose.

"I established the medicine cabinet, in his flat, was easy to pull open without much force at all.

"He forcibly opened the door himself to gain access to his medication and take the majority of it."

The court also heard that Mr Trueman was frustrated after he was informed there would be a 15-week wait for an operation to help with his haemorrhoids.

Another statement from manager of Webster Court, Christopher Bignall, said: "We do have some residents where the risk is deemed high enough that medication is stored in the office.

"In the three years I knew him – and before that - Mr Trueman had never attempted to gain access to his own, or anyone else's, medication cabinet.

Mr Trueman died on March 18 at Webster Court care homeMr Trueman died on March 18 at Webster Court care home (Image: Newsquest)

"As with all out involvement supporting residents with their medication it's firmly with the ethos of them retaining as much independence during the process as possible.

"After reviewing Mr Trueman's capabilities the outcome was he could be prompted to take his medication himself."

Area coroner, Johanna Thompson, concluded: "There's no evidence Mr Trueman's actions could have been anticipated.

"He took excessive quantity of medication - the toxic effect of which caused his death."

She concluded he died of suicide.

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The inquest was held at Norfolk Coroner's Court on October 30The inquest was held at Norfolk Coroner's Court on October 30 (Image: Newsquest)