OAP died after trick or treat row

A 67-year-old grandfather's death may be related to a row with five teenagers at Halloween, an inquest has heard.

Father-of-five Dennis Kent died in front of his wife from a heart attack at his home in North Cornelly, Bridgend county, on 30 October, 2006.

Police said after the inquest the youths had been "trick or treating".

The coroner recorded an open verdict. He said he was not sure the argument played a part in the death but the "balance of probability" was it had.

Earlier, Mr Kent had "a verbal altercation" with the group, the inquest was told.

South Wales Police said after the hearing that the teenagers had thrown an egg at him.

Three girls and two boys aged from 13 to 18 were arrested in connection with the investigation but no charges were brought.

It was decided that a prosecution would not be successful.

Pathologist Andrew Davidson told the inquest Mr Kent had such serious heart disease he could have died at any time.

Scratched car

He said the altercation was probably related to the death, but it needed to be beyond reasonable doubt and that was a matter for a court.

Bridgend coroner Philip Walters concluded that he was recording the cause of death as heart disease.

But he said he would record an open verdict rather than one of death by natural causes.

At the time of Mr Kent's death, he was reported to have died at about 2030 GMT on 30 October after the exchange with the teenagers while out walking.

A neighbour was reported to have said at the time that there had been "trouble with youngsters on the street over the years".

The neighbour said he had "beer cans chucked into the back garden and a few weeks ago my car was scratched, along with a few others parked on the street."

Mr Kent was described by the neighbour as "a nice chap who got on well with everybody".