The devastated family of a football-mad 26-year-old who died following an epileptic seizure have told how “his smile could light up a room”.

Stephen Shrimpton, from Ramsgate, was a “caring and loving young man” who would often make people laugh with his cheeky sense of humour.

But epilepsy gradually took a toll, affecting his memory and stopping him from being able to play football or socialise - before ultimately claiming his life.

An inquest this week heard how sudden and unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) affects about one in 200 patients who suffer from a severe, chronic case of the neurological condition.

Speaking to KentOnline after the hearing, Stephen’s mum Luisa Carr said: “I never thought my child would be one of the percentages who would die.”

The inquest at County Hall in Maidstone on Monday heard how Luisa had been expecting Stephen, who lived on the same street as her, to come over for dinner on April 24.

But when at 7pm he had still not appeared, she let herself into his flat and found him lying on the floor next to his bed, having suffered an epileptic fit.

Paramedics were called to the scene but were unable to revive him.

Luisa told KentOnline how Stephen had been a mischievous but caring lad who cheekily relied on his charm and smile to get him out of trouble.

However, the severe epilepsy gradually dampened his character and social life.

Luisa said: “He loved football from an early age. He was a really social teenager. Life was normal until he was diagnosed with epilepsy at 16.

“Not much changed at the very beginning - he could still carry on as normal - but then as time went on his seizures became a lot worse.

“He stopped going out so much and couldn’t socialise and had to stop playing football in the end as they would bring on seizures.”

The avid Liverpool fan went to Newington Community Primary School and St Georges Church of England Foundation School for secondary, before completing sixth form at The Marlowe Academy.

His mother says his favourite subject was always P.E. and described him as being “a real character” in school who worked hard to achieve good grades.

His first job was a paper round and he later worked at Dunelm in Westwood Cross shopping centre in Broadstairs.

Stephen had two brothers - one elder, Josh, and a younger named Callum - as well as a younger sister, Ruby, and an older half-sister, Kayleigh. He was a proud uncle to Josh’s two children, Lilly-May and Freddie.

His grandmother, Jennifer Carr, says Stephen would often make the family laugh with his great sense of humour.

She said: “His smile could light up the whole room. He was constantly making us laugh and liked to take the mick out of me.

“He was a loving and very caring young man.

“He used to ring me almost every day, just to say: ‘You alright, Nan?’ And we would have a chat about what’s on telly.

“But as his epilepsy grew worse, he became withdrawn. That’s what we found most upsetting - that it changed his personality and affected his memory and speech.”

Luisa says at around the age of 23, Stephen’s seizures started becoming more frequent and intense and that this affected not only his confidence to go out, but also his personality.

She said: “In his younger years, he definitely had charm. Everyone who ever spoke to him said his smile shone through.

“If he was ever in trouble, he would just smile and get out of it, but all of that changed towards the end.

“He stopped going out so much, and couldn’t socialise - he was probably worried about when the next seizure was going to be.”

Coroner Sarah Clarke ruled that Stephen’s undetermined but likely natural cause of death was sudden and unexpected death in epilepsy.

“SUDEP is estimated to affect about one in 200 patients with severe chronic epilepsy,” said Ms Clarke.

“The death is thought to be caused by cardiac arrhythmia and central respiratory apnea.

“We know that Stephen wasn’t as compliant with his medication as he could have been, but we also know that his seizures were becoming more common and complex.”

Stephen’s family believe people should be more aware of epilepsy’s various symptoms and complications, and how important it is for those living with the disorder to keep on top of its management.

Luisa told KentOnline that following a seizure patients can often feel confused and disorientated and even can unknowingly act aggressively.

“I think there should be more training for frontline medical workers dealing with people with epilepsy and neurological issues, she added.

“When after a seizure he’s been taken to hospital, initially they’ve assumed he’s taken drugs or had a drink. We’ve had a few tough times in the A&E.

“I never thought my child would be one of the percentages who would die - so now I think it’s really important that we raise awareness about keeping on top of medication and setting alarms.”