A highly intelligent man who lived his life “off the grid” was found dead in a shower at his home in Carlisle.

A coroner ruled that Anthony Francis Black, 42, died as the result of an accident at the flat where he lived in Lonsdale Street, Carlisle.

His body contained the equivalent of two and half times the drink drive limit, an inquest heard.

A post mortem examination confirmed that Mr Black had inhaled the contents of his stomach.

The inquest hearing in the city heard that Mr Black suffered from high blood pressure and did not have a high tolerance to alcohol. But there was no evidence that he ever intended to harm himself.

His body was found on April 21 by his landlady.

The hearing also heard evidence from Mr Black’s father Andrew Black, who confirmed that the family had lived in Brampton when his son was born in 1974 but they moved around.

He said his son had enjoyed good general health during childhood and at school had been a very good scholar.

His Eurasian looks had led to him “getting stick,” said Mr Black, but he had been able to stand up for himself and sort that out.

As a young man, Mr Black – known as Tony to his friends – had studied biochemistry at Manchester University but he did not get the results he wanted and so later decided it was not for him.

Mr Black senior said his son had been “exceptionally intelligent,” and while living in Carlisle his son had opted to “live off the grid,” living for the moment and changing jobs when his friends did.

He also spent time for a while working in security and at Carrs Biscuit factory. Sunday nights was when he had got together with his friends for a drink, said Mr Black’s father.