A NEWTON Abbot man with mental health problems was found dead under a wardrobe at his sheltered accommodation, an opening inquest heard.

The hearing was told 30-year-old Peter Winterflood was discovered by firefighters called to his Powderham Road address on the evening of September 23.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is probing the circumstances of the death.

The inquest heard that no ambulances were initially available to respond to an emergency call made by police.

Peter, who was troubled with paranoia, had contacted officers on the fateful day amid fears that someone was trying to get into his room.

Officers suspected he was having a medical episode, and alerted paramedics. But they had a shortage of ‘available vehicles’ at the time.

When they did arrive at the locked property they called in firefighters to force entry through a first floor window.

A full inquest will be heard at a later date.