TRIBUTES have been paid to a Hampshire man who lay dead for weeks surrounded in squalor at his home.

Brijindar ‘Paul’ Singh Loyal’s body was so badly decomposed that it will never be known how he died, an inquest heard.

The 68-year-old was found covered in maggots and flies when police broke into his terraced home in Kings Worthy after concerns were raised about his welfare.

Mr Loyal was a regular at The Cart and Horse pub in the village where staff and regulars were shocked to hear of his death.

Staff member Hilary Bartle, who had known Paul for several years described him as “a lonely soul” who had never married.

“He was a nice chap – courteous and caring. We used to talk a lot about Indian cooking, and trade recipes.”

She continued: “He had bad feet due to diabetes. We tried to help him, but he would never listen.”

PC Paul Headen, who found the retired accountant’s body, said: “There was a large number of flies and a powerful smell.

“The house was littered with paperwork and open alcohol bottles. It was clear from the state of the property that he led a chaotic lifestyle.”

Friend, Pam Bone said: “Paul was a terrible hoarder, he had diabetes and drank regularly, which was not good for his condition.”

Mr Loyal, lived alone in the one-bedroom house in Wesley Road, Kings Worthy.

Mrs Bone was contacted on July 12 after Mr Loyal had missed several chiropodist appointments, which was out of character.

When her daughter Naomi went to check on him she found the house locked up, but saw lots of flies crawling on windows and a bad smell coming from inside.

Mrs Bone described Mr Loyal as a private person who hated any attention but had a strong desire for life.

Neighbours, speaking to the Daily Echo, said that Mr Loyal was a quiet man who kept himself to himself.

The post mortem found that a cause of death was unascertainable due to the body’s advanced state of decomposition.

A GP’s report revealed that Mr Loyal had a history of heart problems, and had valve replacement surgery several years earlier.

Police found no evidence of foul play, and were satisfied that Mr Loyal was alone when he died. Assistant Coroner Simon Burge said evidence painted an incomplete picture but concluded that Mr Loyal’s death was most likely as the result of natural causes.