A man hanged himself after an argument with his ex-girlfriend about a mobile phone, an inquest was told.

James Clapson, 30, a care worker, killed himself within minutes of Sarah Haffenden leaving his home in Bermuda Court, The Saltings, Littlehampton, an inquest at Worthing Hospital heard.

Ms Haffenden described how she had arrived at his flat with a takeaway curry and found Mr Clapson, who had a history of depression, in an "agitated" state.

She said: "He got like that from time to time.

"He started shouting and screaming and was in an argumentative mood.

"He took my mobile phone from me. He gave no reason but I presumed he didn't want me to phone anyone."

Ms Haffenden said she managed to get her phone back out of Mr Clapson's pocket but when she went to leave, he pinned her to the floor and tried to strangle her.

After leaving, she drove round the block in her car and decided to go back to Mr Clapson's house in the belief he may have calmed down.

He had already taken his own life.

The front door was open and Ms Haffenden found him hanging in the bathroom.

Sergeant Michael Jones, who attended the scene after the incident on May 30, told the court the containers of takeaway food were still warm.

West Sussex coroner Roger Stone said: "Mr Clapson ended his life by his own hand, despite the absence of a note."