An entrepreneur who alleged he had lost more than £30,000 to a notorious fraudster killed himself by stepping out in front of a train at Grove.

Jeremy Wassell, 35, of Devon, was staying with his brother in Reading on his first day working as a flight instructor at Oxford Airport, when he died on July 19, last year.

He was struck by a Bristol to Paddington train travelling at 125mph at a pedestrian crossing at Grove, near Wantage.

Oxford Coroner's Court heard he was trying to set up an airline, Devon Air Sea Planes Ltd, to run tourist flights from an estuary.

Mr Wassell, who lived with girlfriend Solenn Tallek in Torrington, had become depressed after he paid £32,500 for a sea plane to be delivered from America, but never arrived.

Det Sgt Steven Turner, of Strathclyde Fraud Squad, who are investigating the claims, told the court the case involved a fraudster who was already in prison.

He said: "There was no doubt there was substance in his complaint. He seemed hopeful there would be some progress, but it was unlikely he would see any of the money."

Investigations continue.

Brother John Wassell, of Grovelands Road, Reading, said: "I just knew he had lost a sum of money that would stop his dream plans."

He had indication no he intended to kill himself. Assistant deputy coroner Dr Richard Whittington said: "It was an enormous blow to him to lose a very considerable sum of money and very difficult for him to recover."

He concluded Mr Wassell took his own life.