A student nurse suffering from depression killed himself with an overdose of insulin, an inquest heard.

Robert Windebank, who was not diabetic, is believed to have taken the drug from the hospital where he worked.

Mr Windebank, 30, was found dead by friends at his home in Trinity Street, Brighton, on January 24.

A plastic bag containing syringes and an empty bottle of insulin was found in the flat.

The inquest heard Mr Windebank, who worked at hospitals in Brighton, developed depression as a teenager but had been coping with his illness.

Family and friends believe he may have decided to kill himself after becoming depressed when he received a letter from neighbours accusing him of not looking after his cat, Coco, properly.

The inquest was told Mr Windebank, who conscientiously cared for the cat, was distressed when the letter arrived.

His mother, Sylvia Windebank, who lives in Hampshire, said: "He was extraordinarily upset about the letter. What upset him was thinking the neighbours were talking about him. I really think it was the last straw.

"The irony was he did look after the cat."

Tim Thompson, of Lansdowne Street, Hove, a student nurse who studied with Mr Windebank, found his body.

He told the hearing student nurses had access to insulin when working at hospitals. Mr Thompson described Mr Windebank as a sociable person with many friends.

Brighton and Hove Coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley recorded a verdict of suicide.