A Sidcup man who believed he had superpowers, heard voices and spoke to "spiritual people" jumped in front of a train near Dartford station, an inquest has heard.

Leon Coulthard, 31, was described by friends as a "gentleman with the biggest heart" but battled with "inner demons" in the run-up to his suicide on May 2.

Mr Coulthard had a known history of mental illness and had attempted to commit suicide prior to his death.

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The coroner ruled that Leon Coulthard committed suicide 

He believed something had entered his body and left at the age of three years old and that he saw spirits and visions of people, the inquest at Gravesend Old Town Hall heard earlier today (August 24).

Dr Kemi Mateola, a consultant psychiatrist in the Bexley and Bromley early intervention psychosis team, said: "He said his muscles would get tense because of the visions he would experience every day.

"Mr Coulthard spoke about having superpowers.

"He said he was a 'visionary of the future'.

"He said he was speaking to over 50 spiritual people."

Coroner Roger Hatch also heard that since the age of 13 Mr Coulthard smoked several joints of cannabis a day up until at least last year, something he claimed helped the muscle spasms of his spiritual experiences.

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Leon Coulthard (left)  and friend James O'Connell (right) 

Throughout his medical check-ups, beginning in March 2012, Mr Coulthard had tested positive for other drugs such as magic mushrooms, ecstasy, DNT and cocaine, Dr Mateola confirmed.

In February this year, he was admitted to hospital for stabbing himself in an artery, the inquest heard.

He was living in Dartford at the time of his death and in April of this year was said to be happy following his sister giving birth to a child and also having an opportunity to appeal a six-year driving ban from 2015.

Mr Coulthard's body was spotted by a train driver at 6.02am on the tracks near Dartford train station.

British Transport Police officer Paula Bennett told the coroner Mr Coulthard's watch had stopped ticking at 4.30am, the same time a freight train had passed through the area.

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The inquest took place at Gravesend Old Town Hall on August 24

In closing the inquest, Mr Hatch said: "In all the circumstances of balance of probability, it was the intention of Leon Coulthard to end his life and call his death due to suicide."

Mr Coulthard grew up in Albany Park and attended Cleeve Park School.

Tributes poured in after his death, including from best friend James O’Connell, who wrote: “He was the best friend I could have asked for and was always there for me like no-one else.

"We shared the best and worst times imaginable.

“We were always in each other’s corner, a loyal soldier that man was.

"I loved Leon with all my heart.

"Leon had a massive heart, the biggest heart.

“And so much love to offer – even in his darkest times he was there offering a wise word to help me with my own minor problems, a credit to himself and all who cared for him.

“What I would do for a hug from Leon right now. Leon was the toughest person I know, a proper fighter and believe me he did not give up easily.

“He has been suffering for so long and obviously could not beat his inner demons.

"I am so proud of that boy and I pray that he is finally at peace in his mind, body and soul.

“I will remember Leon in the ring, Leon on the motorbike and Leon on the dance floor.

"Leon the dreamer with huge ambition and crazy ideas. Leon with the massive personality and dodgy dance moves."