A HEROIN user died after taking a cocktail of drugs and alcohol just four days after he had been released from prison, an inquest heard.

Geoffrey Snaith, 24, of Fulbeck Road, Netherfields, in Middlesbrough, fell into a coma after injecting himself with heroin, along with his best friend, Lee Kent.

Giving evidence at the inquest yesterday, at Teesside Coroner's Court, Home Office pathologist Dr James Sunter said that a combination of the illegal drug, the prescribed anti-depressant dothiepin, and alcohol caused him to fall into a stupor.

As a result, his lungs were contaminated with toxins which killed him.

Dr Sunter said: "The level of none of these drugs was high, ruling out a deliberate overdose."

The inquest heard that Mr Snaith, who was single and unemployed, left home on August 15 last year, saying he was going to Stockton to sign on.

He met up with Mr Kent, a friend, and they went drinking at the Tommy Sheraton pub.

Mr Snaith drank two bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale and some cider.

After calling at the Post Office and then buying heroin from a local supplier, the pair arrived at Mr Kent's home at Greensbeck Road, Hartburn, in Stockton.

Mr Snaith showed signs of an adverse reaction immediately after taking the drug.

Mr Kent said: "He went into a fit and started shaking and moving around the room. His body was going everywhere."

Mr Kent shouted to his mother, Joan, and her boyfriend, Mick Paton, who were downstairs in the house.

Mr Paton ran upstairs and after checking on Mr Snaith, left him propped up against a wall and snoring.

Hours later, after Mr Kent had taken more heroin and had fallen asleep himself, he awoke to find his friend lifeless.

An ambulance was called but efforts to revive Mr Snaith proved fruitless.

Recording a verdict of misadventure, Teesside deputy coroner Gordon Hetherington said: "It's very sad indeed that a young man should have died in this very tragic way.