A PENSNETT man took his own life after asking his former lover for one last kiss an inquest heard.

Tragic Roy Smith, aged 67, was found hanged in the garage of Carole Sainsbury’s home in Kingswinford during the morning of August 19.

Mr Smith left a number of notes at the scene and at his flat in Chapel Street which Black Country assistant coroner Angus Smillie concluded made it clear he intended to kill himself.

Mr Smillie said: “Letters or notes all suggest the deceased expected to pass away and he was, in effect, saying his farewells.”

In evidence to the hearing Carole Sainsbury said her five-year relationship with Mr Smith had ended in February and she believed he was struggling to cope.

The pair had continued to see each other as friends and she had encouraged the retired postman to take voluntary work.

On the evening before Mr Smith’s body was found they argued and the court was told his final words to his former partner were “I will have one last kiss.”

However the hearing was also told he had used the phrase before and there was no suggestion he was planning to end his own life.

The court heard from Mr Smith’s son, Gary Smith, who said following a text early the next morning from Carole expressing concern about his father, he attempted to contact him by phone.

Gary was unsuccessful and went to his father’s flat where he was unable to get an answer.

He met Carole and they decided to get a ladder from her home in order to see through the windows into the flat.

It was when they opened Carole’s garage door they made the terrible discovery of Mr Smith’s body.

Gary Smith said: “Carole collapsed, I shouted ‘Dad’ and ran in. I grabbed his hand, when I touched him I could tell there was no life.”

Police and paramedics were sent to the house at around 8.45am, he was declared dead at the scene.

A post mortem examination revealed Mr Smith had no significant medical conditions and no drink or drugs were found in his system.

The assistant coroner concluded the father-of-three had let himself into the house with a set of keys in his possession and taken his own life.

Speaking after the end of the hearing, Mr Smith said: “He was a private and proud man and provided a loving home for his family. He will be missed very much.”