A SOUTH Lakeland man died after ingesting sodium nitrite amid fears about serious criminal charges being made public, an inquest heard.

David Mansfield, who was 47 years old, died at his home in Kinn Barns, close to New Hutton, near Kendal, on July 9, 2020.

The record of inquest states that Mr Mansfield had recently been arrested and released on bail 'facing potentially serious criminal charges which he denied'.

The record says: "He decided, however, to take his own life by ingesting sodium nitrite rather than endure the consequences of the charges being made public."

At Cockermouth Coroner's Court last Thursday, Dr Nicholas Shaw, assistant coroner for Cumbria, concluded that the medical cause of death was (1a) sodium nitrite toxicity.

Dr Shaw then concluded that Mr Mansfield had died by suicide.

It marked the conclusion of an inquest that was first opened on January 15, 2021.

Mr Mansfield was born on October 17, 1972, in Greater Johannesburg, South Africa.