A POLICE investigation into the death of a community figure fell apart when two key witnesses retracted their statements, an inquest heard yesterday.

Paul Mann died on October 13, 1999, at the age of 29, in what police described as "an apparently drugs-related incident".

Teesside Coroner's Court heard yesterday that Mr Mann had a drink problem and was also a drug user who sometimes smoked heroin, although he had never injected it.

Confusion still surrounds the night of his death, when he is believed to have been injected with heroin after drinking a large amount of lager and taking Valium tablets.

Alec Jones, of Queen Street, South Bank, told the court that he and Mr Mann visited a friend, Brian Venis, where Mr Mann said he wanted to try injecting heroin for the first time.

In a statement that was read out to the court, Mr Venis claimed Mr Jones injected Mr Mann.

Mr Jones was arrested the day after his friend's death, but no charges were brought because two witnesses - Mandy Davies, of Redcar Road East, South Bank, and Malcolm Clark, of Queen Street - who initially said Mr Jones told them he injected Mr Mann, later retracted their statements.

Police sergeant Andrew Vickers told the court that they could no longer be relied on as credible witnesses.

The inquest resumes today, when evidence will be heard from a Home Office pathologist.

After the tragedy, children and community police officers organised a sponsored run and raised £150 for a memorial bench.

The seat, which stands in Mr Mann's native South Bank, near Middlesbrough, was eventually donated by a local business and the money was given to the dead man's family.