A MAN who gunned down his former girlfriend in Harvey Nichols had taken a "significant" amount of cocaine, an inquest has been told.

Michal Pech shot Clare Bernal in September before turning the gun on himself.

Pech, a former security guard at the store, had previously threatened to kill himself and Miss Bernal, the inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court was told.

He had a brief relationship with the beauty counter worker but was later accused of stalking her.

The security guard made a number of pestering phone calls to Miss Bernal and refused to accept that their relationship was over.

He had pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment and was due to be sentenced eight days after the double shooting.

Dr Paul Knapman told the inquest that cocaine can cause "mental excitement" and the 0.25 milligrams of cocaine per litre of blood found in Pech was a "significant" amount.

Recording a verdict of suicide on the 30-year-old Dr Knapman added: "It is not fatal by any means and I have no doubt that it had some effect. The evidence overwhelmingly shows there is a lot to indicate premeditation on behalf of Michal Pech."

The inquests continue.