Landlord's seizure death from alcohol withdrawal

A recovering alcoholic pub landlord died from a seizure, an inquest heard today.

Sandy MacDonald, 39, who was landlord of the Jolly Gardener Pub in Holyport, was found by his girlfriend Carol Wakelin slumped on the stairs to his flat above the pub in Moneyrow Green at about 11am on August 12 last year.

Coroner Peter Bedford returned a verdict of misadventure at the inquest held at the Guildhall in Windsor, revealing that Mr MacDonald had died from a seizure due to alcohol withdrawal.

Mr MacDonald, who had a history of alcohol abuse and occasional drug use, had been on a six day cycle, drinking for three days before three days of sobriety.

The coroner’s report indicated no trace of alcohol in Mr MacDonald’s blood, although there were bruises on his arms and legs from repeated falls and bite marks in his tongue, indicative of a seizure.

Mr Bedford said: “He did not want to die, but continued to drink against advice regarding the effects it would have on his health.
“The damage had been done and was irreversible.”