A MAN inexplicably stabbed a woman several times in Southend and then leapt to his death near the seafront, an inquest heard.

Terence Fortune, 48, died when he jumped from the Sky Tower observation platform on Pier Hill, in Southend, on January 10.

Earlier that day he had waited for a woman outside her home in Sweyne Avenue, Southend, and knifed her numerous times, including in the face.

In statement read out at Southend Courthouse yesterday, Dr Keith Bridge, a life-long friend of Mr Fortune, said he was stunned by what happened.

Dr Bridge said: “An assault would have been totally out of character for Tel and that must be the primary reason why he took his life.

“We were devastated when we heard.”

The inquest heard Mr Fortune, who was believed to live alone in Southend, was born in Dagenham and met Dr Bridge at school.

He went on to become an insurance clerk in the City, but became frustrated with the job and quit.

He also fell out with his siblings shortly afterwards and lost touch with them.

Coroner Peter Dean said Mr Fortune had moved to Southend “a few years ago” and he had been living in Sweyne Avenue.

Despite his job forcing him to move regularly, Dr Bridge said he stayed in regular contact with Mr Fortune.

He last saw him in October 2010, when he appeared to be “his normal self”, the inquest heard.

Dr Bridge was contacted by police trying to trace Mr Fortune following the stabbing, and then received a second call a few hours later to say he had killed himself.

Witnesses recalled watching Mr Fortune scrambling over the safety barriers at the top of the tower and falling to the concrete paving below.

Dr Dean recorded a verdict of suicide.