A “much-loved son” escaped from Springfield Hospital and killed himself just two days after he was taken off constant watch, an inquest heard.

Paul Collins, 30, threw himself under a train at Wimbledon station on July 12 last year after jumping over a garden fence at the hospital, outside Jupiter ward.

Outside court, his father Kenneth, 67, paid tribute to the former electrician from Morden, who went to Rutlish School in Merton and enjoyed sports as a teenager.

He said: “Paul was a laid-back person who believed you should enjoy life to the full.

"He was a much-loved son and his loss has caused deep sorrow to family and his many friends. Nothing will fill the void left behind.”

Mr Collins suffered a breakdown in 2006 while travelling in Hong Kong, and was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the March 3 inquest heard.

In March 2009, he was sectioned and taken to Springfield, but his family said he could never accept his diagnosis and thought the medication was making him worse.

Westminster Coroner’s Court heard he was put on constant watch because he tried to commit suicide a number of times.

But on July 10, staff decided he appeared “brighter” and reduced the frequency of his checks to every 15 minutes.

Elizabeth Ibrahim, a healthcare assistant who saw him the next day, said: “I saw him in the kitchen. He had bread and butter and a glass of milk.

“I spoke to him and asked him if he was OK and he said yes. I always laughed and joked with him.”

But minutes later, Mr Collins went into the ward garden, jumped the fence and exited via the Burntwood Road entrance, where there were no security staff.

He later texted ward staff to say he would return, but instead he stepped in front of a train at Wimbledon station at 6.05pm on July 12.

Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe recorded he “had killed himself while the balance of his mind was disturbed”.

Mr Collins’ father said afterwards: “We do not blame any of the staff at Springfield for Paul absconding, although we are obviously disappointed that things were not in place to stop this happening, for example, a closer watch on the garden and a higher fence. Maybe cameras would help.”

A spokesman for South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust, which runs the hospital, said the fence was now higher and staff training had been improved.