A Borehamwood man, who turned to alcohol after the death of his mother, was described as “an extrovert” who loved to cook at an inquest into his death.

The hearing into Wayne Broad, who died in November 2011 after falling ill from alcohol withdrawal in police custody, concluded on Friday.

Jurors who sat in the three week inquest in North London Coroners Court, High Barnet, delivered a narrative verdict.

It said the combination of limited care at the QE2 Hospital, the lack of previous medical history and delays in transport in custody “may have more than minimally or trivially contributed to the deterioration of Mr Broad”.

It also suggested that “Mr Broad’s symptoms of alcohol withdrawal were possibly only spotted once they got severe or acute”.

Mr Broad, who lived in Theobald Street in Borehamwood, was under the influence of alcohol when he was arrested on November 15 at his home, and taken into custody.

He was kept in over night before being taken to the QE2 Hospital in Welwyn Garden City, after becoming unwell.

Mr Broad was treated and discharged, but while in custody in Hatfield his condition worsened.

He was taken back to custody, before being bailed and taken to Barnet Hospital. He was admitted to A&E on November 16 at 5.02pm.

The day after he was transferred to a ward and given further treatment. He was later found on floor, with his IV feed disconnected.

On November 18 he had a seizure, leading to cardiac arrest. He was taken to ITU where he eventually died on November 30.

Members of the family requested a statement was read to the jury about Mr Broad.

It said how Wayne Broad was born in Watford hospital, and was one of eight children who grew up in the town.

The family described him as “an extrovert” who left school at 16 in order to pursue his love of cooking by working as a chef.

The court heard how as a teenager, Mr Broad saved a woman from a burning home, and went back to save her budgie. An article about it was used on the front page of the Watford Observer.

The statement said: “He was very close to our mother and father, my overriding memories were happy ones.

“He had a great sense of humour and told great stories. He loved cooking, history, the arts and poetry. He loved metal detecting and outdoor life.

“Wayne struggled to cope with life after our mother had died. Gradually he became a binge drinker to numb his pain.

“As much as we tried to get into Wayne’s head we never understood what caused his suffering. We were always concerned and tried to look after him.

“We miss Wayne every day, we are devastated by our loss.”