THE FATHER of a man found dead in a street has paid tribute to his son.

John-John Iredale, 34, was discovered on Blakey Close in Redcar in the early hours of Sunday morning. He had been walking his dogs in the area and is believed to have died due to a ruptured femoral artery, caused by complications relating to blood clots in his leg.

Mr Iredale’s father, Colin, 69, described his son as being the happiest he had ever been in the months leading up to his death.

He said: “John-John had recently got together with a girl who had two children and he was the happiest he had been in years.

"He was very affable and very likeable, just a nice person. He loved sports and was a complete fishing freak. The response we have had from friends and family in reaction to his death has been huge.”

Mr Iredale went on to describe his family’s dismay over the speculation surrounding the death, which they believe was caused by rumours spread on social networking sites.

Mr Iredale said: “People were shouting about John-John being stabbed but that never happened. Something should be done to stop people spreading terrible rumours on the internet, it is not right.”

The family also criticised the medical treatment received by their son prior to his death and are planning to take legal action against his GP.

Mr Iredale suffered from blood clots to his legs for at least two years, following a savage attack in which his leg was broken with a steel bar.

His family feel that the treatment he received for his condition was inadequate and contributed to his untimely death.

They say their son had requested, and was refused, medication to control the blood clots on October 19, a little more than a week before he died.

His GP, Dr C Wilson of the Lagan Surgery in Redcar, said: “It is very sad that a young man is dead but there is a well organised system of complaints and if the family has grievances then, if or when they come to us, we would deal with them.

"We have not yet received any complaints and otherwise, we have no comment to make.”