A MAN found dead at a woodland spot used by hard drug addicts had taken a large amount of heroin prior to his death, an inquest has heard.

Chris Andrews, aged 34, from Poole, was discovered in Branksome Park Woods, close to Leicester Road, Penn Hill, last summer,

Initially, the discovery prompted police to launch a murder inquiry. However, detectives were quickly able to ascertain no suspicious circumstances and no third party involvement.

Detective Inspector Neil Wright, of Bournemouth CID, gave evidence at Wednesday's inquest, which took place at Dorset Coroner's Court, Bournemouth Town Hall.

Det Insp Wright said: "We found no evidence of any injury that would suggest he'd been assaulted in any way."

The timings of text messages taken from the deceased's mobile phone further supported the premise Chris had been on his own when he died, the hearing heard.

During Wednesday's hearing, which was attended by family, a statement from Chris' mother, Sylvia Ridgeway, was read by assistant Dorset Coroner Brendan Allen.

Mrs Ridgeway said her son had started to experience problems with substance abuse since the age of 13 or 14.

She said Chris "loved being an uncle," adding: "he was a caring and loving man with a wicked sense of humour when the drink and drugs didn't take over."

In the weeks leading up to his death Chris had been in employment, apparently off drugs, and in good spirits, the court heard.

While the cause of death was recorded as asphyxia, due to hanging, blood tests taken post mortem revealed morphine in his system 'in the range of fatal toxicity'.

Mr Allen said: "Chris had a long history with substance misuse, that is not a criticism, that is a difficulty he had, that he obviously battled with over the years.

"There were periods of time when he was sober and was doing well.

"It seems he was in one of those periods of time in the summer of last year – he was in work, it seems he was not using drink or drugs, he was going to the gym, he was looking after himself.

"Of course recovery from substance misuse is a process, it doesn't just stop and there is always a risk of relapse.

"Unfortunately Chris did relapse."

Mr Allen also said, that while he was satisfied on the basis of the police investigation that no-one else was involved in his death, he couldn't ignore the fact Chris appeared to have taken a "significant amount" of heroin before he died.

"My view," added Mr Allen, "is that this would have affected his thinking and his ability to form any intent."

Recording a narrative verdict, Mr Allen said: "The evidence does not explain whether or not he intended the outcome to be fatal."