A PRISON officer found dead on the morning his misconduct trial was due to start seemed upset the night before, an inquest heard.

Christopher Bevan, 35, was found in the early hours outside his home at Leith Towers, in Grange Vale, on June 6 last year, having fallen from a fifth floor balcony.

At his inquest this week, Croydon Coroner's Court was told Mr Bevan was angry and upset the night before.

Referring to the police evidence, coroner Dr Roy Palmer said: "He poured himself a neat vodka about 9pm.

"The girlfriend asked Christopher to come to bed.

"He refused and said he wanted to stay and watch TV.

"Something woke her up about 4.40am.

"She noticed Christopher wasn't in bed."

When she looked out the kitchen window she spotted the ambulance outside, the court heard.

Paramedics rushed Mr Bevan to St Helier Hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly before 6am.

Mr Bevan had denied two charges of misconduct in public office, over allegations of sex with female prisoners.

He had worked at women-only HMP Downview in Banstead and faced trial with two other men.

Last year Russell Thorne, 41, of Sinclair Drive, Sutton, was jailed for five years, after he was found guilty of misconduct by having sex with female prisoners.

Another officer, Simon Dykes, from Dorking in Surrey, walked free, with a jury at Guildford Crown Court failing to reach a verdict on four charges of misconduct in a public office.

Dr Palmer recorded an open verdict at Tuesday's inquest.