Sarah Payne's father Michael died of natural causes

Michael Payne developed a drink problem after the death of his daughter Sarah

The father of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne died of natural causes at his home in Kent, it has been revealed.

Michael Payne, 45, was found at his home in Brishing Lane, Maidstone, on 27 October.

Mid Kent and Medway Coroner's Court said tests showed he died from natural causes and an inquest would not be held.

Mr Payne's eight-year-old daughter was killed by convicted paedophile Roy Whiting in West Sussex in 2000.

He began drinking heavily following her death and blamed the difficulties of coping with Sarah's murder on the collapse of his 18-year marriage to Sara.

In December 2011, he was jailed for 16 months after admitting attacking his brother with a glass after they had both drunk a large amount of alcohol.

Sarah, who lived in Hersham, Surrey, disappeared from a cornfield near the home of her paternal grandparents, Terence and Lesley Payne.

Her body was found on 17 July in a field near Pulborough, some 15 miles from Kingston Gorse in West Sussex where she had disappeared.