A FARM worker with a history of drug addiction died after taking twice the lethal dose of heroin, an inquest heard yesterday.

Ken Martin Hathway, of Bay Road, Bowridge Hill, near Gillingham, was found slumped in the bathroom of an annexe he was living in at his mother and stepfather's property.

During a hearing at Dorset Coroner's Court, Bournemouth Town Hall, Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin heard evidence from Ken's mother, Jayne, and stepfather.

In a statement read out in court, Jayne recalled how her son, aged 26, had been living in a wood cabin annexe on their property and had been drug free for several months.

She discovered her son slumped in the bathroom of the annexe after drilling through the lock of the building to gain access, after getting no response after repeated knocks.

Mr Hathway died on February 6 earlier this year.

Police found no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, no suicide note or mobile phone evidence that he wanted to harm himself.

Mrs Griffin said she was also satisfied Mr Hathway had not intended suicide. She recorded the cause of death as a drug-related death.