A DRUG addict died of a heroin overdose hours after being released from a mental health hospital, an inquest has heard.

Paul Robinson, 32, was found dead in the back garden of his parents' home, having earlier left West Park Hospital, Darlington.

His parents, Tom and Marion Robinson, criticised the hospital during the inquest - saying the former roof cladder should not have been released.

"I think it was irresponsible of the mental hospital to release him when they did," said Mr Robinson, of Larch Street, Shildon, County Durham.

"He'd been on heroin before he went in. When he came out, he tried to take as much as before."

Mrs Robinson said she contacted the hospital the week before he died, concerned about his level of paranoia.

She said she had spoken to her son the day before he died and he had been "quite happy" after doctors lifted a court order requiring him to stay in hospital.

"I thought he was safer left in hospital," she said.

Paul had been at West Park since September last year suffering from paranoia. He was released at 8.45am on December 20, and was found dead by his mother at noon.

Brenda Davidson, the Durham deputy coroner, recorded a verdict of death by misadventure at the Chester-le-Street inquest.

"He has died as a result of a large overdose of heroin," she said. "I don't think he was intending to take his own life."

Speaking afterwards Mr Robinson said his son's was "a life wasted" - adding: "We didn't want him released, his mind wasn't right."

He said Paul was 20 when he started taking drugs and that the past 12 years had been a nightmare, with his son in and out of prison, sometimes stealing from his parents to feed his £200-a-week habit.

"He said to me once, 'Dad, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people'.

"We always feared we would find Paul dead. Now we want him to be an example, so that people get the right help."

A spokeswoman for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust, which operates West Park, said it was in contact with the family and would encourage them to discuss Paul's case.

She said: "We understand how distressing this must be for Mr Robinson's family and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time."