A RETIRED journalist who was found decomposing at his Chorleywood home died of natural causes, a court heard on Monday.

A policewoman discovered the body of Mr James Poynton at his house in Heronsgate Road after a neighbour raised the alarm on December 13 last year.

Mr Robert Stebbings grew increasingly anxious when 65-year-old Mr Poynton, who lived alone, did not answer the door or telephone calls.

When Mr Stebbings tried to unlock the front door with his spare key, he discovered the security chain was in place and called the police for assistance.

Coroner Edward Thomas said: "He was found lying face down in the rear lounge in his under- pants.

"Decomposition had started around his nose.

"It seems he had been in bed and come downstairs where he collapsed."

Mr Poynton had probably been dead for about a week before he was found, according to Watford General Hospital consultant pathologist Alan Rubin, who carried out the post mortem.

He said: "His internal organs had started decomposing so it was difficult to ascertain.

"The only abnormality was that his heart weighed more than normal.

"His heart must have failed and then he died.

"Because his brain was very decomposed, I was not happy about the cause of death and carried out a toxicology test on his blood but it showed nothing."

A heavy heart is often a sign of high blood pressure, known as hypertension, according to the pathologist.

Mr Thomas concluded that the victim had suffered a heart attack and related high blood pressure.

Mr Poynton's passport, which expired in March last year, showed he had been a journalist but few other personal details are known.

It is believed he was not taking medication and had not seen a doctor in many years.

A verdict of natural death was recorded.

June 18, 2002 13:30