London chef killed on bike was drunk

A leading London chef was killed in a motorcycle accident while more than three times over the drink-drive limit, an inquest heard today. A post mortem found amphetamine in his blood.

Shaun Gilmore was not wearing a helmet when he crashed yards from his home. The 38-year-old was head chef at the National Gallery's Dining Rooms, named by Time Out magazine last year as Best British Restaurant.

The inquest heard that on 4 March he drank a shot of schnapps and two beers before catching a train to Winchester. He often had a can of beer on the journey.

At Winchester he climbed onto his Honda ST 1,100cc bike to make the fivemile trip to South Wonston.

Just 100 yards from home, he slid across the road and crashed into a kerb and road sign. He died of head and chest injuries. He leaves a widow, Susan, and son Harry, aged one.

Assistant deputy coroner for central Hampshire, Christopher Wilkinson, recorded a verdict of accidental death.