Mystery surrounds the death of a 23-year-old man found staggering on the path below cliffs.

Brighton Deputy Coroner Roderick Webb recorded an open verdict into the death of Jason Jenkins, of Hove Park, Hove, after hearing evidence from ten witnesses at his inquest yesterday.

Mr Jenkins, who was found by a cyclist at Undercliff Walk below Brighton Marina, liked climbing and worked as a roofer.

The inquest heard he had given no indication he intended to commit suicide and police could find no evidence he had jumped from the top of the 100ft cliffs.

Officers, called to the scene by staff at the ASDA store after being alerted by a cyclist, first thought he had been attacked, the deputy coroner was told.

He told one police officer he had fallen, but lapsed into unconsciousness at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, and died two days later at Southampton General Hospital after being transferred to the neurological unit.

Christopher Mallinson, 25, of Lake Drive, Peacehaven, said he was cycling home on the Undercliff Walk at 11.40p.m on October 6 when he saw a man staggering towards him.

He said: "I thought he had come from a pub in Rottingdean and was trying to get home. I turned round when I realised he was injured. I helped him along and sat him down and then went to ASDA to get help.They called the police and emergency services. He did not say what happened."

PC Timothy Rylatt from Brighton Police Station was first on the scene.

He said: "I tried to find out if he had jumped off the top. He first said he had fallen from the top and then said, 'No, I fell down here'."

The police officer said he found a trail of blood which led to a further pool of blood where some stones had fallen. His trainers were found nearby, but had not been placed together as if they had been left before scaling the 100ft cliffs, the court was told.

Inspector Ivor Fabb examined the top of the cliff and said he could find no evidence of someone jumping off the top. At that point the cliff edge is fenced. He said there was a ledge half way up the cliff and there was a possibility he had fallen from there after climbing to that point.

Dr Patel, consultant pathologist at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, said the severe injuries had been caused from a fall of at least ten feet. He also had rib fractures. There was no evidence of drugs or alcohol.

His brother James said he and Jason had worked in Australia as roofers.

He said: "He found he could get a better grip by taking off his trainers."

His mother Sandra said Jason had complained of headaches and had been treated for depression, but there was nothing to suggest he intended to commit suicide, when he left home that evening to meet a friend.

Mr Webb said it was "not easy" to determine what happened.

He added: "I find the cause of death head injuries. We do not know whether it was suicide or an accident."