A Sussex man was murdered by a burglar while on holiday in Thailand.

Homayoun Djavadizadeh, 57, of Ladywood, Paddockhurst Road, Worth, Crawley, was wounded in the neck after approaching the intruder at the house where he was staying.

He went to the local hospital where he collapsed and died the same day. An inquest in Crawley heard Mr Djavadizadeh had suffered chest pains before leaving for Thailand.

In a statement, his son Damen said his father often travelled abroad to try to get over the loss of his girlfriend from cancer.

He was stabbed with a knife or sharp instrument when he went to investigate after hearing an intruder.

The wound did not appear to be serious.

A post-mortem examination was held in Thailand and his body sent back to Crawley.

Deputy West Sussex coroner Dr David Skipp was told the body had caused difficulties for a post mortem in this country because it had been embalmed.

The coroner, talking about the post-mortem findings in Thailand, said: "Mr Djavadizadeh died from failure of his heart and cardio-vascular system, as a result of blood loss from a knife injury and also because of a previous heart disease."

Mr Djavadizadeh came to Britain as a student in 1957. He lived in a large house hidden behind trees and with an entrance protected by two iron gates.

Neighbours last night said they knew little or nothing of Mr Djavadizadeh, who they said "kept himself to himself".