A LEOMINSTER man died from a lethal combination of heroin and alcohol, an inquest heard.

Glenn Stokes, 25, was found dead on a sofa at a friend's house in Ryelands Road in the town on December 29, 2014.

Herefordshire Coroner's Court heard Mr Stokes, of Broad Street, had a history of drug abuse and had received help from Drugs and Alcohol Services Herefordshire (DASH) since 2010.

He had started taking heroin in 2013 but things had begun to improve for him last summer when he gained a job, secured accommodation and began a relationship.

However, yesterday's hearing heard Mr Stokes turned up at David Oughton's house on December 28 and was unsteady on his feet.

Mr Oughton, who had known Mr Stokes for five years, said his friend was very drunk and he asked him to leave.

He said Mr Stokes told him he had been paid on December 23 and had spent £400 on crack cocaine.

Mr Stokes, the hearing heard, left at 7.30pm with a friend, Tobias Field, and went to a flat in Ryelands Road.

Detective sergeant Mark Morton said police were called to the premises the following day.

DS Morton said both Mr Field and Mr Stokes had taken heroin the night before and fallen asleep on the sofa.

When Mr Field woke up he found Mr Stokes next to him, who was not breathing.

A toxicology report showed Mr Stokes had died from opiate toxicity, compounded by alcohol.

The combined effects of alcohol and heroin resulted in respiratory depression, the inquest heard.

Herefordshire Coroner Mark Bricknell returned a verdict of drug-related death.