A coroner has ruled that a young man died last year “as a result of the consumption of drugs”.

Kane Roberts, 27, of The Carrions, Totnes, was found dead at his home.

Torquay Coroners Court heard evidence from his fiancee and the police he was a regular user of both prescription and non-prescription drugs. Mr Roberts was also a heavy drinker, often consuming two bottles of Jack Daniels or three bottles of wine a day.

Coroner Ian Arrow was told Mr Roberts had been a wheelchair user for eight years following a motorcycle accident in 2008 – at the time he was living in Dartmouth.

Mr Roberts, who was born on September 6, 1988, and died on August 19, 2016, was reliant on painkillers, both prescription and non-prescripton, the court was told today (Monday).

When police entered the property following a call from paramedics, they found Mr Roberts in the bedroom. They examined the scene and found  £2,200 in cash and a "substantial amount" of drugs paraphernalia. 

They found the premises unlocked and a dog in the house. When asked whether there was any suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Roberts’ death, a detective sergeant said "nothing".

Mr Arrow summed up by saying Mr Roberts death was caused "by the consumption of drugs". He passed his condolences to Mr Roberts’ friends and family.