A mentally ill man who gouged his eyes out while a patient in a Bradford psychiatric hospital later committed suicide, an inquest heard.

Brian Smith, who was epileptic, blinded himself while being treated in Lynfield Mount Hospital, Daisy Hill, last year. Bradford Coroner's Court heard yesterday that Mr Smith died on January 10 this year after swallowing at least 35 painkillers.

The 48-year-old was staying at his brother's home in Bracken Grove, Mirfield, when he died.

A post-mortem examination showed he died from respiratory depression due to the toxic effects of the painkillers.

The inquest heard Mr Smith was diagnosed with epilepsy as a child but developed short-term psychiatric and depressive problems when the condition worsened. He was treated early last year and discharged but in June was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary "in a confused state".

On June 4 he was referred to Lynfield Mount and gouged his eyes out while a patient there.

He was discharged at the end of July and later slashed his wrists.

In a statement, Andrew Hudson-Smith said his brother was visiting for the weekend from his home at Ashworth Place, Wibsey, when the tragedy happened.

After checking his brother a few times, Mr Hudson-Smith discovered he was cold to the touch.

Paramedics were called but Mr Smith was dead when they arrived. A bag of tablets was found in his bed.

Coroner Roger Whittaker said Mr Smith must have known what he was doing and intended the consequences of his actions.

He recorded a verdict that Mr Smith had taken his own life.

A spokesman for Bradford District Care Trust, which is responsible for Lynfield Mount, said it had held an inquiry after Mr Smith blinded himself.

"As a matter of good practice there was an internal inquiry where we fully reviewed the case, met people involved in his case and his family.

"This was a terrible tragedy.

"The review found there was nothing that could have predicted this or been done to prevent this from occurring.

"It was very rare and unusual."

Mr Hudson-Smith said he was not satisfied with the care trust's handling of his brother's case.

"His death I have come to terms with, but the injuries he caused himself I have not and I blame Lynfield Mount," he said.

"He was never sectioned and doctors were aware he had suicidal tendencies. He had talked to them previously about plucking his eyes out. My impression of that place is because these people have a mental health problem, nobody really cares - but they are still people. If he had expressed such tendencies in a police station, they would have put a 24-hour watch on him."