A taxi driver who fell 30ft to his death from cliffs at Reculver took his own life, an inquest heard today.

Danny Scott, of Beaconsfields, Seasalter, was discovered at around 9am on Wednesday, December 17, last year, and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

An inquest at Margate magistrates was told a pathology report into the 28-year-old’s death confirmed he had died of multiple injuries consistent with a fall from a height.

Mr Scott, who worked for Northgate Cars in Canterbury, had abandoned his car near the top of the cliffs near Reculver Towers.

Toxicology reports showed he had been drinking and was slightly above the legal limit for driving.

The hearing was told a mobile phone was found close to Mr Scott which revealed a message to his former partner, Natasha Baxter.

The couple had split up just days before his death.

The text had warned her not to watch the evening news on the day of his death and also said he loved her.

Mr Scott had been well known in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable. He was a bell-ringer at St Dunstan’s Church.

Ian Goldup, deputy coroner for North East Kent, said Mr Scott’s medical records showed he had mental health issues following a period of several years spent in foster care as a child.

Mr Goldup added he suffered from depression and had previously taken overdoses of medication.

"I can’t believe you have been taken from me. You are going to be truly missed. You were my friend and my fiancee and I loved you more than anything in this world..." - Natasha Baxter

Mr Scott had been offered counselling treatment by east Kent mental health workers during the past five years but had declined to take them up.

Giving evidence at the inquest, Miss Baxter described Mr Scott as “a lovely man with a heart of gold” with whom she had worked at the Canterbury taxi firm.

She said he had been a step-father to her four children and had given no indication of his intended actions following their separation.

Miss Baxter, 29, of Beaconsfields, posted a message on her Facebook shortly after his death that read: “I can’t believe you have been taken from me. You are going to be truly missed.

"You were my friend and my fiancee and I loved you more than anything in this world.”

Speaking at the inquest, she said Danny had felt hurt at their separation, adding that he had tried to come and see her after their split.

Danny’s brother Christopher, from Norwich, also gave evidence at the inquest.

He said he had not been aware of the full extent of his brother’s mental health issues, but added Daniel had attempted to take his own life when staying with him on one occasion.

John Stopford, a friend of Daniel’s who had offered him a place to stay, said he had no undue cause for concern regarding his condition.

He said: “Daniel had stayed with me for three days before he died. He seemed alright and had been working days before his death. He appeared to be performing normally. We had discussed his situation a lot, but he didn’t talk about what he was going to do.”

DS Nick Bordar from Margate police station said Mr Scott had been found 14ft from the base of the cliff, which which would have required considerable momentum, ruling out it as being an accident.

Delivering his verdict, deputy coroner Mr Goldup said: “In considering whether someone has taken their own life, we have to be beyond all reasonable doubt that this was the case.

“Given the circumstances here with his history of attempts at taking his own life, his depression and the message sent to Miss Baxter, we have sufficient evidence to find that Daniel did in fact take his own life.”