THE family of a psychology student who fell to his death last week have paid an emotional tribute to him.

Paul James Millgate was found dead on the roof of Tesco Express, directly below his room at Bournemouth University accommodation block Lyme Regis House.

The body of the 20-year-old, who was born in Ascot, was discovered by a fellow student in the early hours of Friday, and identified by his father Stephen Millgate the following day.

Mr Millgate, who lives with Paul’s mother Sarah and sisters Eleanor, 22, and Catherine, 17, in East Sussex, said: “No father should have to identify their 20-year-old son’s body.

“It should be the other way around.”

As well as being an active member of the 1414 Squadron of the Sussex branch of the Air Cadets, Paul was a talented young pilot.

He had also participated in the Nijmegen March, a notoriously tough 100-mile walk in Holland, and was looking forward to achieving his silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, which he had already started to complete.

“In his short life, he had certainly packed a lot in,” said Mr Millgate.

“He was studying psychology so that he could earn a bit of money and apply for a private pilot’s licence by the time he was 30. He had big plans for the future.”

Mrs Millgate spoke of her son’s kindness to others.

“At one time, he was terribly bullied at school,” she said.

“He particularly supported some of the younger Cadets as he grew older because he always remembered how that felt. He kept his eye out for everyone who might need help.”

The young man had dreamed of flying planes for a living.

Mrs Millgate said: “When he first went up, I remember how happy he was.

“He said, ‘It’s fantastic up there’. It was pure joy for him.”

She said she had been overwhelmed by kind words from Paul’s many friends and family.

“They have all been fantastic,” she said.

Dr Andy Johnson, first year psychology tutor at Bournemouth University, said: “We are very sad to hear of the death of Paul Millgate, a promising young psychology student.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with Paul’s family and friends.”

• 'Unsurvivable injuries'

An inquest into Paul’s death opened yesterday.

The court heard that pathologist Joan McCutcheon had carried out a post-mortem and determined the cause of death as multiple injuries.

Coroner’s officer Carolyn Stuart said: “This student at Bournemouth University lived in accommodation at Lyme Regis House.

“He was found by a fellow student on the canopy of Tesco Express, directly below his room on the 10th floor.

“He suffered multiple unsurvivable injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Dorset coroner Sheriff Payne adjourned the inquest to resume on a provisional date of July 3.