AN ELDERLY man jumped from the balcony of his 16th floor flat after suffering years of “excruciating” pain, an inquest heard.

Keith Williams left notes for family and friends before plunging from his home in a block of flats in Manor Road on the East Cliff.

Emergency services were called to The Albany on the morning of Wednesday, May 22 after a member of concierge staff saw a person falling while monitor ing CCTV screens at the premises.

A tent was put up and an official cordon set up while police carried out inquiries.

Mr Williams, 69, died of multiple injuries following trauma sustained during a fall from a great height, assistant deputy coroner Richard Middleton was told.

The Bournemouth inquest heard Mr Williams had suffered severe back and neck pain for many years.

He had also had a “moderate depressive episode” when he became frustrated that his pain could not be managed effectively.

Mr Williams, a father-of-three and grandfather-of-seven, served in the Merchant Navy before becoming a successful business-man, according to a statement from his son, Mark.

His brother, Alan, told the coroner: “He had pains in his neck, back, leg and head – he was in constant pain.”

Recording a verdict that Mr Williams took his own life, Mr Middleton said: “Clearly there were medical ailments affecting Mr Williams.

“As time went by these ailments were becoming more and more debilitating.”

Mr Middleton said he was satisfied that Mr Williams acted deliberately and fully intended to die as a result of his actions.