A coroner will investigate the death of a man in Beckton who was the subject of a criminal investigation.

Geoffrey Ponder, 66, was found dead in his back garden in Windsor Terrace, Beckton, on November 14.

Senior coroner Graeme Irvine said he was aware Mr Ponder, who was Australian, had been on bail.

But he did not know what alleged offence he had been arrested over or what stage the criminal investigation had reached.

He opened an inquest into Mr Ponder’s death at East London Coroner’s Court, Walthamstow, on Wednesday, November 27.

Relatives from Australia and Scotland attended the hearing by remote video link.

The court heard Mr Ponder’s housemate had returned home and “found correspondence from Mr Ponder that caused him concerns as to Mr Ponder’s safety”.

Police attended, searched the property and found him unresponsive in the garden. He was pronounced dead at 8.53pm.

“Police did not find any evidence to suggest that a crime had taken place and there was no evidence to suggest that a third party had been involved in the circumstances of Mr Ponder’s death,” said Mr Irvine.

“The police were able to isolate video doorbell footage which showed Mr Ponder returning home apparently fit and well, and notes were secured at the scene which seemed to indicate an indication of Mr Ponder’s intent.”

Mr Irvine said toxicology results have not yet been reported.

He added: “There is no evidence before me that Mr Ponder died a natural death.”

In fact, he said, it was “arguably a violent death” according to legal definitions.

“As a consequence, I must open an inquest,” he said.

Mr Irvine declared Mr Ponder's siblings “interested persons” in the inquest, giving them the right to view evidence ahead of the hearing and question any witnesses called to give evidence.

“I appreciated that there may have been a period of estrangement but to the best of the family’s ability, if they could inform me who Mr Ponder was in life… and any issues that they are aware of that potentially impacted upon the death, I will be very glad to hear about it,” he said.

He ordered disclosure of GP records, mental health trust records if Mr Ponder was under any trust’s care, and “details of whether or not Mr Ponder was known to the police”.

“Evidence before the court seems to suggest that Mr Ponder was on bail at the time of his death,” said Mr Irvine.

He said his inquest would investigate “whether or not it potentially could have played a role in his death.”

He told Mr Ponder’s relatives: “Can I offer you all my sincere condolences? I’m very sorry for your loss, especially under circumstances such as this.”

The full inquest was adjourned to May 22.

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