Family tells inquest of Oswestry drug death doubts

Relatives of a man from Oswestry who died from an GHB drug overdose believe someone else may have been involved in his death, an inquest heard.

David Wayne Lewis, 36, known as Wayne, was found at his home in Lorne Street by his stepbrother Kevin Hughes, on February 3.

Yesterday Mr Hughes told an inquest in Wem that he thought someone else had given him the drug, a suggestion backed up by Mr Lewis's former partner, Emma Stocker, during the hearing.

But Mr John Ellery, coroner for mid and north west Shropshire, said there was no evidence and said the death had been accidental. He recorded a verdict that Mr Lewis had died from an overdose of GHB.

The inquest was told that a post mortem had shown that Mr Lewis had 350 milligrammes of GHB in his body, a toxic level.

Miss Stocker said she had had a call from Mr Lewis on the afternoon on February 3 to say he could not pick up their young son from school and could she take him to his house. When she got there the house was locked and Mr Lewis did not answer the door or the telephone.

She said Mr Lewis did use GHB but never when he was looking after their son.

Mr Hughes, of Cresswell Court, Oswestry, said he had not been able to get hold of his brother so went to his house about 5.30pm. When he saw him through the window he rang the emergency services. He added: "I am saying someone has done this to him."

Sergeant Scott Barnes said this was the first time he had heard the suggestion and had no evidence to reopen the case.

Mr Ellery said the evidence was that it was an accidental death.

After the inquest Miss Stocker and Mr Hughes paid tribute to Mr Lewis, saying he was a wonderful father and friend.