A diabetic slipped into a coma and died after doctors changed the medication he was using.

Nicholas Wiles switched to a synthetic insulin and his family noticed his condition deteriorate almost immediately.

An inquest into his death heard he started having diabetic attacks - known as hypoglycemic events - every night, caused by low blood sugar levels, and could not adjust to the new drug.

His former wife Susan said his personality changed, he became increasingly depressed and their marriage eventually broke down.

Mr Wiles, who had changed insulin in his 20s, went back to his original medication but showed no improvement.

Over the years, Mr Wiles self-harmed several times and was eventually living in Wickbourne House recovery centre, Littlehampton, when he was found unconscious last December.

He died weeks later in Worthing Hospital on January 3 amid suspicions he had committed suicide by overdosing on insulin.

However, yesterday's inquest found he had actually died from hypoglycemia which had sent him into a coma and caused irreversible brain damage.

The 40-year-old father-of-four had been found slumped on the floor out of bed and was taken to hospital.

He had not left a suicide note or texted anyone to say he was thinking of taking his life.

Doctors managed to get his blood sugar levels up but he never regained consciousness.

He had suffered brain damage, muscle disintegration, kidney failure and caught pneumonia.

His brother Martin told the inquest, at Worthing Town Hall yesterday, the family believed Mr Wiles had not tried to commit suicide on that occasion.

West Sussex coroner Roger Stone agreed, saying: "There is not a shred of evidence that he tried to take his own life. I'm inclined to believe he died of natural causes."