A man died of asphyxiation after wrapping himself in a plastic sheet in a bizarre sex act.

Terence Simmonds, 49, was found dead at his home in Alpha Avenue, Garsington.

Det Insp David McCorkhill told Oxford Coroner's Court yesterday that Mr Simmonds was wrapped in a plastic sheet and a bin liner with a vacuum cleaner inside.

Bottles of amyl nitrate were found nearby and the Det Insp McCorkhill said he was satisfied no-one else was involved.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Oxford Mail, police were alerted when courier driver Mr Simmonds did not arrive for work at Oxford Logistics on Monday, April 17. His boss, David Levell, said Mr Simmonds was usually reliable so he visited his mobile home to check on him. He called the police after failing to get an answer at the door.

Officers forced a window and found the cocoon containing Mr Simmonds on the lounge floor.

Pathologist Dr Colin Clelland gave asphyxiation as the cause of death. Mr Simmonds had been divorced from his wife Celia, of Foresters Hill, Wood Farm, Oxford, for two years. In a statement, she said her former husband had slightly unusual sexual habits and a similar incident had been reported two years ago.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner said: "I am satisfied that the deceased was engaged in some kind of sexual experiment that went tragically wrong". He recorded a verdict of accidental death.