A pensioner who was suffering from an anxiety disorder causing him to have irrational fears of being sent to jail died after jumping in front of a train travelling at high speed through Watford Junction.

Hertfordshire Coroners Court heard Roger Chilcott, 80, feared being sent to prison after not reporting cracks in his house to his insurers in the week leading up to his death on November 29.

Sergeant Adrian Naylor, with British Transport Police, told the court CCTV evidence showed Mr Chilcott, a retired information scientist who continued to work as a part-time gardener, sitting on the edge of platform six.

His legs were seen dangling over the track shortly before the 11am Virgin Trains Euston to Manchester Piccadilly service was due to pass through the station, Sgt Naylor said.

In a statement to the police, train driver Mark Smith described sounding the warning horn when he caught sight of Mr Chilcott a quarter of a mile ahead.

But Mr Chilcott pushed himself into the path of the oncoming train. He died of multiple traumatic injuries at around 11.15am.

The court heard that a train travelling at 110mph would have a stopping distance of about one mile.

Edward Solomons, assistant coroner, said he was satisfied Mr Chilcott’s actions were deliberate and intentional and ruled his death a suicide at the inquest today.

Mr Chilcott, who lived in Headstone Lane, Harrow, is survived by his wife Annie, a retired nurse, and his son Andrew, who works for Network Rail.

In a note read to the court, Andrew Chilcott said: "He was kind and well-behaved, never making an outburst or shouting in anger."

In early 2014 Mr Chilcott, who served for two years with the Royal Signals, began suffering mental distress and was prescribed antidepressants by his GP.

In the week prior to his death, he had declared to his wife he was going to prison for a long time after cracks appeared on the walls of the family home.

Son Andrew described his fears as irrational and said they were not fully appeased even after reassurance from the insurers and a visit from a builder.

However, Mr Chilcott did not leave a suicide note or give any indication of his intention to end his life.

Mr Solomons concluded: "It is clear Mr Chilcott was a much-loved family man with considerable skills who unfortunately later in his life was suffering from an anxiety condition.

"It is my hope his family remember the happier days of his life that he spent with them."