A STUDENT found dead in woodland near Bournemouth beach had been assessed at St Ann's Hospital just days beforehand, an inquest has heard.

The body of Bert Manfred Hartmann, of Owls Road, Boscombe, was found at Durley Chine, West Overcliff Drive, on the morning of Sunday, January 17.

On Friday, January 22, at Dorset Coroner's Court, Bournemouth Town Hall, an inquest was opened and adjourned into the death of the 33-year-old.

During the short hearing, presided over by Dorset Coroner Rachael Griffin, the court was told Mr Hartmann was a single man.

It was also heard that he had come to the attention of police days before his death, and that he'd been taken to St Ann's Hospital to be assessed.

St Ann's Hospital in Poole treat adults suffering with different types of mental illness.

Giving evidence at Friday's hearing, coroner's officer Phillipa Morgan told the court: "Police were called by members of the public who were walking in the location of Durley Chine and have come across a male hanging at that location.

"Police attended and confirmed the deceased was Mr Hartmann, who had come to the attention of police in the days prior to his death - and had been taken to St Ann's for assessment, where he has subsequently been released."

Ms Morgan said subsequent police investigations confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances nor third party involvement in Mr Hartmann's death.

A post mortem examination confirmed provisional cause of death as hanging.

Blood samples were also taken for analysis.

Adjourning the inquest until a hearing scheduled for June 2, Mrs Griffin said she would be requesting statements from Mr Hartmann's family, from his GP and the mental health teams in relation to their contact with him.

She said: "I will also request statements from the police in relation to the investigation following the death, and also the contact prior to his death."