TRIBUTES have been paid to a “loving and caring” man who died after a quiet evening at home with his partner.

Philip Cartwright was found dead on his balcony in Craven Road, Brighton, on the morning of Saturday, August 15 last year, having choked on vomit.

The 38-year-old had enjoyed a takeaway curry and some wine with his partner of two years, Ben Williams, the previous evening.

At the inquest into his death held at Brighton Coroner’s Court on Monday, the court heard Ben had gone to bed at about 11.30pm on the Friday evening while Philip had stayed up to watch television.

When Ben woke up on the Saturday he found Philip lying on the floor of their balcony and could see he had been sick.

In a statement read out in court, Ben said: “I soon realised there had been some sort of accident. He had no obvious injuries.

“He would drink alcohol socially but not to excess. It was unusual for him to just pass out like that.

"It was the worst ten minutes of my life."

Ben called an ambulance, which arrived at the scene at 6.14am, but paramedics confirmed Philip had died at 6.18am.

A post-mortem examination found Philip had bruising on his forehead and food in his airway and lungs.

A toxicology report showed he had 88mg of alcohol in his blood, which is consistent with mild to moderate intoxication.

Assistant coroner Catherine Palmer said Philip had been treated for anxiety in the past and the prescription drug zopiclone was also found in his system, but not in excess.

Mrs Palmer said: “It was while he was out on the balcony that something happened.

“I think the most likely situation is he was sick and then started to inhale it and fell forward and banged his head, so he could not call for help.

“Whatever happened to him was quick - he didn’t even have the chance to get his earphones out and his phone was on the floor. There were no signs of distress and he certainly has not harmed himself deliberately.

“There was not enough alcohol is his system alone to kill him. He and his partner had enjoyed a lovely evening together."

The coroner recorded a narrative conclusion and gave Philip’s cause of death as aspiration of gastric contents, with a head injury and the presence of alcohol and zopiclone also listed.

She described Philip’s death as a “huge shock” for his family and loved ones and said: “Philip was enjoying his life here in Brighton and in a stable relationship, although he had lost his job to coronavirus.

“He was a much loved son, brother and partner.”

Philip had moved to Brighton from Derbyshire and had worked as a hotel manager until he was made redundant during the coronavirus pandemic.

His mother Christine Oliver described him as a “natural comedian”.

She said: “He studied IT and always had the latest gadgets. I’m sure he spent all of lockdown on his playstation.

“I was really sad when he told me he was moving to Brighton but I thought it was the best thing for him as he could be himself.

“He had a wicked sense of humour and did not suffer fools gladly but he was loving and caring.

“I will miss him forever.”

Philip’s partner Ben said the pair had spent more time together during lockdown, which had brought them closer.

In 2019 Philip modelled a t-shirt for the Brighton Bear Weekend event, which raises money for the Brighton Rainbow Fund, providing grants to local LGBT organisations.

The event’s organisers paid tribute to Philip and said: “He modelled our t-shirt back in February 2019 on a bitterly cold night, but he still filled the air with his laughter and the lens with his cheeky smile.

“He was a big supporter and always there full of energy and a big hug. Bright, handsome, naughty and full of fun.

“We will all miss you greatly, and our love and support go out to his man Ben Williams, friends and family.”