A RETIRED engineer died after shooting himself in the head at his Dorset home, an inquest has heard.

Widowed Robert Knight, of Morcombelake, aged 92, was admitted to Poole Hospital on January 12, this year, Dorset Coroner's Court was told.

Coroner's officer Ken McEwan said: "Mr Knight had been admitted to Poole Hospital having been located at his home address with an injury to his head, and a gun registered to him located by his side.

Mr McEwan told Wednesday's (February 5) hearing, held at Bournemouth Town Hall, that Mr Knight's condition deteriorated after admission and he died at the hospital.

The hearing also heard that Dorset Police had carried out a full investigation into the incident and concluded there were no suspicious circumstances.

Dorset Coroner Rachael Griffin, who presided over the hearing, adjourned the inquest until June 15.

The cause of death was recorded as a self-inflicted gunshot injury to the head.