James Bunting, known affectionately as Jamie, was found to have 481mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system. The legal limit for driving in England is 80mg per 100ml.

A post-mortem concluded the 50-year-old died from ethanol toxicity after consuming a significant amount of alcohol.

Area coroner Johanna Thompson recorded a conclusion of alcohol-related death, saying Mr Bunting had suffered from complex health problems which contributed to a dependency on alcohol.

Area coroner Johanna Thompson (Image: The Coroners' Society)

“It’s clear he had very complex physical health problems which caused him difficulties and worsening of his mental health and dependency on alcohol,” she said.

The hearing was told officers from Norfolk Police were called on August 23 2025 after Mr Bunting’s mother went to check on him at his home in Anmer Terrace.

Police received a call at 12.10pm reporting concerns for his welfare. Officers attended and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Bunting’s mother, Sharon Bunting, who was also his carer, said her son had suffered from long-standing mental health difficulties including depression and anxiety.

Norfolk Coroner's Court in Norwich. (Image: Newsquest)

She told the inquest these problems were significantly exacerbated by a number of serious physical health conditions including surgery to remove a colloid cyst from his brain, during which a titanium plate was inserted, in 2016.

He also had a blood clot removed from his leg, underwent back surgery which left him partially disabled and suffered with arrhythmia and an irregular heartbeat.

Mrs Bunting said he had been waiting for an operation to stop and restart his heart, but the procedure was cancelled around a month before his death due to doctors’ strike action.

She told the hearing her son lived in “severe and constant physical pain” that significantly worsened his mental health.

An inquest has been held at Norfolk Coroner's Court into the death of James (Image: www.tfs.co.uk)

Mrs Bunting said she believed he developed a problem with alcohol and binge drinking as a way to cope with both his physical and mental suffering.

Evidence from Mr Bunting’s GP described him as “a very polite gentle fellow” whose alcohol problem had worsened over the past few years.

He added: “I believe James got more entrenched in his drinking behaviour and tried more concentrated forms of alcohol."

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