A PORTHMADOG supply teacher died after taking a fatal overdose of heroin and cocaine, an inquest heard.

David Joseph Lewis, of Morfa Lodge Estate, in Porthmadog, was found dead by his family members in his bed on Monday, 15 February.

An inquest in Caernarfon heard how Mr Lewis had been drinking in the Red Lion Pub in Porthmadog that afternoon and was seen looking unwell outside the venue. He was later taken home by his family members.

During the evening when his family members went to check on the 51-year-old it was discovered he had passed away and an ambulance was called to his home.

There were no signs of injury on Mr Lewis when a post-mortem was carried out by pathologist, Dr Mark Lord, on 17 February.

However, a toxicology report revealed that there was 225mg of alcohol in 100ml of Mr Lewis’ blood – the legal limit being 80mg which meant the school supply teacher was almost three times over the drink drive limit.

The report also revealed there was a fatal level of heroin in Mr Lewis’ blood and traces of cocaine.

Dr Lord said the level of heroin was above the fatal level of 0.2mg in 100ml of blood but it could not be determined how much cocaine had been used as it breaks down quickly in the body.

The pathologist recorded a cause of death as heroin and cocaine toxicity.

North Wales senior coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones said: “When I was first presented this case I thought Mr Lewis most likely died after drinking too much during the day, so I was surprised by the results of the post-mortem.

“Dr Lord has revealed that there were fatal levels of heroin found in his blood, along with cocaine.

“Although the alcohol level was very high it was heroin and cocaine used together that caused his death.

“I believe Mr Smith took these drugs himself and caused his own death.”

The coroner recorded a verdict of death due to the abuse of drugs.