Family's tribute to Thomas, 24

The family of a 24-year-old found dead in a Telford flat today paid tribute to a "happy, caring man who loved his family".

Thomas Mackie, pictured, was discovered in his home in Dalford Court, Hollinswood, last month. An inquest was opened yesterday, with the cause of death given as morphine poisoning.

Dawn Barrowman, Mr Mackie's aunt, said her nephew was not a drug user and his death had come as a "terrible shock" to the family.

"Thomas was a happy, caring man, who loved his family and was never happier than when everyone was around him," said the 44-year-old.

"He will clearly be missed by his nan, who brought him up, and his sisters Jean and Hayley."

Mrs Barrowman, who lives in London, said her nephew had been raised by his 69-year-old grandmother Rosemary Mackie after his mother Catherine died when he was a teenager.

She said he had previously suffered mental health problems, but did not take drugs.

"Thomas's death was really sudden - nobody was expecting anything like this," she said.

"We know Thomas had a heroin overdose - the police are investigating so we can't actually say much more than that. He was not a drug user so that's why the morphine killed him - it was the first time he'd taken it."

The inquest, at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital, heard Mr Mackie had been assaulted at his home the day before he died, but police had ruled out any link between the attack and his death.

Det Sgt Ian Rutherford told the hearing police had investigated an assault at Mr Mackie's home address on November 9.

"One of the men assaulted was Mr Mackie. He received very minor injuries at the time, went to hospital and was released very quickly," he said. "However, on the afternoon of November 10, Mr Mackie was found dead.

"Initially, police investigated if the death and assault were linked, but there appears to be no connection whatsoever between the initial assault and death of Mr Mackie."

Claire Edwards, coroner's officer, said a post mortem gave the cause of death as morphine poisoning.

Michael Gwynne, Telford & Wrekin coroner, adjourned the inquest.

By Becky Parkinson