A MAN found dead at his Headington home died of natural causes, a coroner ruled.

Oxford’s Coroner’s Court heard Colin Raworth was found dead at Alison Clay House, in New High Street, on January 15.

Pc Sean Clayton-Chance said in a statement that he found Mr Raworth at the retirement and sheltered housing “lying face down on the floor”.

He said he thought the 58-year-old “had been in that position for a few days” but ruled out suspicious circumstances.

GP Kate Smith said in her statement Mr Raworth had a “considerable dependence on alcohol”.

She said Mr Raworth, who was unemployed, was drinking about 200 units of alcohol every week in February 2012.

Housing officer Susan Jennings, who had known Mr Raworth for about two years, said in her statement she thought the last time neighbours had seen him was on January 5 or January 12.

Consultant pathologist Susan Davies did not find any “significant” levels of alcohol or drugs. Dr Davies said: “Given the severe decomposed state of the body, although there was severe damage to the liver which could account for the death, I did not feel I was able to confidently state this was the cause of death.

“On the balance of probability, this is a death attributable to chronic alcoholism.”

Assistant coroner Alison Thompson recorded a verdict of natural causes on Thursday.