A CORONER has said that the police use of a Taser may have contributed to the death of a father-of-two, the BBC reports.

Marc Cole, 30, from Falmouth died after he was tasered by police in Langton Road on May 23 last year.

Devon and Cornwall Police were called to Langton Road at around 9pm following reports of a man with a knife, and at some point during the incident a Taser was discharged. Mr Cole was subsequently taken to hospital, where he later died.

The pre-inquest in Bodmin was told Mr Cole had self-inflicted knife injuries when he died and his death was "sudden and unexpected".

A pathologist recorded a narrative cause of death and following the use of cocaine and "an episode of altered behaviour".

Following his death the Independent Office for Police Conduct launched an investigation.

The BBC says that at the hearing at Bodmin Magistrate's Court, coroner Dr Emma Carlyon said the eventual full inquest would be heard by a jury, who would hear evidence from police officers, medical experts and listen to 999 calls made at the time of the incident.

The BBC reports that Dr Carlyon said Home Office pathologist Dr Russell Delaney had concluded Mr Cole's death was "following an episode of altered behaviour including self-harm, excitement, exertion and restraint including the discharge of a Taser X26 device".

Following his death his brother Danny told the Packet: "He was not out to hurt anyone or himself."