A 42-year-old man died after setting his car on fire as he sat in the driver’s seat, an inquest heard today.

Ian Hatton, of Harvest Road, Bushey suffered third degree burns from the subsequent blaze in a pay and display car park near The Rutts, in Bushey Heath, on the morning of October 29, 2011.

Hatfield Coroner’s Court heard how, after collapsing at his home in the days before, unemployed Mr Hatton had become extremely paranoid about his health.

On the morning of his death, the keen photographer parked his Volkswagen in the far corner of the car park before walking to a nearby Tesco Express garage at about 8.30am.

Staff later told police he had looked nervous during his brief visit before he walked back to his car and set the vehicle on fire as he sat inside.

A neighbour dialled 999 after hearing an explosion and finding the car ablaze at 8.40am.

The inquest heard how Mr Hatton had left a note to his parents, with whom he lived, explaining that he knew what he was doing.

Days before his death he collapsed at his home and was unconscious for several minutes after feeling pain spreading up his leg. After being taken to hospital, doctors booked him in for an MRI scan but Mr Hatton discharged himself before this took place.

Speaking at the inquest, his father, Edwin Hatton, said: “He thought he would be disabled or crippled and he didn’t want anyone to have the burden of looking after him.”

Coroner Edward Thomas ruled that Mr Hatton took his own life and passed on his sympathies to family members who attended the hearing. He said: “Although he left a note, he didn’t give any reasons. I’m very sorry for what happened – it must have been very sad for all of you.”