AN "UNDER-pressure" college lecturer left a note before taking a lethal cocktail of drugs, a court heard.

Thanet College course leader Francis Thompson, 62, known to friends as Frank, was found on his knees slumped over a cardboard box on February 22.

At his inquest on Tuesday, coroner Rebecca Cobb heard how he was discovered by a policeman, next to a handwritten note at his home in Westgate. A half-empty bottle of Bacardi and an empty box of tablets were also found at the scene.

Pathologist David Rouse, who carried out the post-mortem examination, said Mr Thompson had consumed a deadly drug cocktail of up to 60 tablets including codeine, ibuprofen, paracetamol and diazepam.

He said: "In my mind the tablets were taken in a single quantity. I find it difficult to believe he took them to relieve pain.

"I also think the evidence of no tablets in the stomach would suggest he ground them up before taking them. I would give cause of death as alcohol-mixed drug poisoning."

The court heard how Mr Thompson, who taught catering at Thanet College, had become increasingly unhappy after his job changed and his lessons were subject to inspection.

Friend and Thanet College employee Susan Austen said: "He lost his spark and became preoccupied with work, and wasn't his usual self. He felt he wasn't given the work he was comfortable with."

Mrs Austen told the court how she had gone to the home of Mr Thompson on the weekend of his death.

She said: "He felt he was being eased out. He said he was very worried that he was being given an inspection on the Monday. He didn't know why he was being singled out, which was what worried him."

One of Mr Thompson's closest friends, Christa Harrison, said he was worried he would be "forced out if he complained".

Her husband Terrance Harrison also told the court: "I spoke with Frank 100 times about him being under so much pressure. He was terribly upset about an event and was adamant that this lady or woman should apologise to him. He didn't say who the person was but he repeated they would stop at nothing to get him out."

Both Thanet College's head of HR Jayne Miller Line, and Mr Thompson's line manager Roger Phillips, said they thought he was OK in the period leading up to his death.

Coroner Rebecca Cobb said she could not reach a judgement immediately and adjourned the inquest.

The following day, the coroner's clerk said new information came to light after the inquest, which would mean the judgement would be postponed further.

Speaking later, Thanet College principal Graham Razey said: "As I only came to the College in April I never knew Frank Thompson personally, but everyone I have met who knew him well have made me realise what a highly-valued friend and colleague he was. My thoughts are with the family now."