A LAMPETER man died after overdosing on heroin shortly after being released from prison, an inquest has ruled.

Christopher Riley Lloyd bought heroin on the streets of the town on the same day last November as he was released from Swansea prison, after serving a five-month term, the inquest in Aberystwyth heard last Tuesday.

The 29-year-old was found dead by friend Richard Owen when he visited him on his return to the town.

Mr Owen told the inquest that the pair “chatted for 20 minutes” before Mr Owen “fell asleep on the sofa”.

When he woke up he found Mr Lloyd “slumped on the sofa” surrounded by drug paraphernalia and called 999.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Ceredigion coroner Peter Brunton said that Mr Lloyd, “known to be a drug user”, had likely “lost tolerance” for the drug during his time in prison, and was “unaware” of the effect that could have.

“Tragically, the moment he had got out of prison he bought some heroin and used it. He did not know that his tolerance level was not the same. Clearly he did not expect it to end in his death.”See this week's South Ceredigion edition for the full story, in shops now or online by clicking the Digital Editions tab at the top of the page