News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A window cleaner died after stabbing himself in the groin repeatedly with a jumbo souvenir pencil, an inquest heard.

Jeffrey Burton’s family and friends were baffled by his bizarre death, which was recorded as an open verdict because there was no evidence he was trying to commit suicide.

Mr Burton, 57, was found by police in a blood-soaked room in his house in St Leonards, East Sussex, on September 27.

Worried neighbours raised the alarm after they were unable to get hold of him.

When police broke into his house they found Mr Burton lying on his back, wearing only his underpants.

The room was splattered with blood and music was still playing on his stereo. The giant blood-covered pencil was beside him.

He had a deep gash in his upper thigh.

East Sussex coroner Alan Craze told the Hastings inquest: “It’s a mystery to me. If you were choosing to take your own life, that’s not the way you would do it.

“It seems to me that it can’t have been a single stab wound. He seems to have worked on it. The pencil was blunt.”

Mr Burton’s sister Patricia Goodell told the hearing the pencil had sentimental value to her brother as it once belonged to their late mother. The inquest heard Mr Burton had suffered a single psychotic episode in 2006 but when he died he was sociable and healthy and looking forward to a holiday. He had never tried to commit suicide before and did not leave a note.

Mr Craze said: “It doesn’t stack up. Something very strange has gone on. We

will never know what has caused him to create this awful wound.”