A VISIT from bogus callers contributed to a pensioner's fatal heart attack, an inquest has heard.

David Wardlaw, aged 78, collapsed on October 11 in his front garden from a heart attack after bogus callers visited his Northfleet home in Struttons Avenue, where he lived with his 74-year-old wife, Betty.

Coroner Roger Hatch said: "I have not the slightest doubt the circumstances surrounding his death caused a serious amount of stress."

But he added: "His death was down to natural causes."

The couple let in a man claiming to be from the water board but Mr Wardlaw became suspicious and asked if he could take a photograph of him. The visitor alerted two assailants upstairs, and they escaped with £200 in cash.

Mrs Wardlaw found her husband lying in the garden after she tried to call the police. She also died a month later, never overcoming the shock.

Consultant Pathologist Dr David Rouse told the inquest Mr Wardlaw died from Ischamic heart disease, a condition which meant "sudden death could happen at any point in time."

DCI Brian Roberts said there was not enough information to reconstruct facial images of the burglars. Speaking after the inquest, he said: "The people who went into the Wardlaw's home did so without considering the impact on the residents. Had they been left alone, Mr Wardlaw would have seen his life out in a very natural way."

Both Mr Wardlaw's son, Peter, 44, and daughter, 39-year-old Debbie Farthing, had not known of his heart condition before his death, but neither were surprised with the verdict.

Mrs Farthing said: "We guessed this is what would happen. His death could have happened but obviously it was brought on by the men."

December 20, 2001 18:51

Lucy Brinicombe