The death of Islington man Matt Groom was not suicide, an inquest heard today.

St Pancras Coroners Court heard that Mr Groom, who had been suffering mental health problems, stood in front of a lorry on the M11 on June 15.

In the days leading up to his death, the criminal solicitor had been arrested twice for affray and drunk and disorderly behaviour.

And on the day of his passing, 36-year-old Mr Groom faced an eight-hour wait in Archway’s Whittington Hospital.

Today’s hearing heard Mr Groom, who told psychiatrists he crashed the stock market, grew increasingly agitated throughout the day.

He eventually walked out of the hospital, and had to be chased by his uncle, John Groom.

After John convinced his nephew to stay at his house in Epping, Mr Groom bolted and headed for a London-bound train.

He ran off at Debden, and his body was found on the hard shoulder of the M11 just after 11pm, after lorry driver Stewart Welden was unable to swerve out the way.

Coroner Mary Hassell adjourned her verdict for next Thursday, but today ruled out suicide.

She said: “There’s no doubt in my mind that Matt stood in front of the lorry and that he knew it was going to hit him.

“What I have heard of his state of mind is that he was psychotic. My conclusion is that when he stood in front of that lorry, he was psychotic.

“Someone can only take their own life while conscious of what they are doing. Standing in front of the lorry while suffering psychosis means I cannot consider suicide.”

Full report to follow.