A TRAGIC inquest has heard of the ‘horrific’ scenes that greeted a policeman when he entered a home.

The inquest of Maurice Dowd was formally opened and concluded at Warrington Coroner’s Court by Jaqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire.

Mr Dowd died at his home address in Wilmslow, with the 82-year-old retired tailor being born in Manchester.

Concern for his welfare was raised by a neighbour and Cheshire Police attended his home on June 6 this year.

The neighbour reported that they had not seen him for around three or four weeks, and the court heard that Mr Dowd was widowed and the sole occupant.

The officer knocked on the door and rang the doorbell, but there was no response. The door was locked and the garden was beginning to become overgrown.

A decision was made to enter the property by force, with the court hearing that the officer was met with a ‘horrific stench’.

A large amount of post was found on the floor and Mr Dowd was located deceased in his bed.

The court heard how the state of the deceased ‘shocked’ the officer due to the level of decomposition.

Items in his fridge had a use by date of May 4.

Paramedics were called who confirmed him to be deceased, and that life was extinct.

Police confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death

With the cause of death being unconfirmed and unascertained, due to the level and state of decomposition, Coroner Devonish reached an open conclusion.

She added: “That brings the inquest process to a conclusion. All that remains is for me to extend condolences to his family.”