Caffeine level matched '700 coffees'

Red Bull's makers say the drink is safe

A Leicestershire woman killed herself by consuming the caffeine equivalent of 700 cups of coffee, an inquest has heard.

Cecilia Jessop, 58, took hundreds of Pro Plus stimulant pills and washed them down with Red Bull energy drinks.

She was found by her husband surrounded by empty tablet capsules and drink cans.

She had more than seven times the lethal level of caffeine in her blood, the equivalent of more than 700 cups of strong coffee.

There has never been any evidence linking it to harmful effects to consumers

A Red Bull spokeswoman

The inquest in Loughborough was told Mrs Jessop's body was found beside two handwritten suicide notes at her home at Quorn in September this year.

The hearing heard 100mg of caffeine per litre of blood can kill, but Mrs Jessop's reading was a massive 776mg.

Rutland and North Leicestershire coroner Trevor Kirkman, who on Thursday recorded a verdict of suicide on Mrs Jessop, said it was an "absolutely tragic" case.

Pro Plus manufacturers Roche Holdings Ltd, declined to comment on the case, but warned other users against the dangers of exceeding the stated dose.

A spokeswoman for Red Bull said the drink was a "safe product that has been sold for 15 years in over 70 countries".

She said: "There has never been any evidence linking it to harmful effects to consumers."