A FRIEND of a man who was found dead in a supermarket's disabled toilets has been charged with supplying him with methadone.

The body of Craig Addison, who had been living at St Paul's Hostel, was found in a locked disabled toilet cubicle in Sainsbury's, Swanpool Walk, St John's on Wednesday, December 3.

A postmortem and toxicology analysis showed he died of respiratory depression caused by the use of methadone and morphine or heroin.

Friend Stuart Kirk, of YMCA, Henwick Road, St John's, Worcester, has been sent to Worcester Crown Court on Monday, June 8 charged with supplying a quantity of controlled Class A drug methadone to Mr Addison.

The 39-year-old entered no plea when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said the reason she had asked it to be sent to crown court was because of Mr Addison's death.

"He [Mr Addison] was found dead on December 3 last year in the disabled toilets in Sainsbury's.

"When a post mortem took place it found a quantity of methadone.

"He was not a prescribed user and it was a view of the consultant that the quantity he had consumed had contributed to his death.

"The defendant found out Craig Addison had died and he attended a police station of his own volition together with his project worker.

"Because of the fatality I have asked for it to be allocated to crown court."

Kirk, who appeared at court wearing a Led Zeppelin t-shirt, jeans and black leather jacket, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

Mark Sheward, for Kirk, said a plea had not been entered because he had not seen a toxicology report.

Kirk was granted unconditional bail by Jo Hodges, chairman of the bench.

Mr Addison's body was found by supermarket cleaner Philip Kupfer the following morning after routine checks of the toilets had not been carried out overnight.

During an inquest into the 33-year-old's death, Worcestershire coroner Geraint Williams said: "It is not possible to say whether, if they had been, the outcome would have been any different.

"At the very least he would not have been left to lie in a toilet all night in the Sainsbury's store in Swanpool Walk."

Mr Williams recorded a conclusion that Mr Addison died as a result of the abuse of drugs.