A 43-YEAR-old Hereford man died due to taking illicit drugs.

An inquest at Herefordshire Coroner's Court heard that Paul Tippins of Old School Lane was known to be an illicit drug user for more than 20 years.

On January 10 his mother rang the police as she could not get in touch with him. Officers attended and found him dead.

A post mortem revealed he died of septicaemia along with severe bilateral pneumonia and a right lung abscess, as a consequence of intravenous drug use.

A friend and neighbour, James Pritchard, spent time with Mr Tippins at his flat on January 7. He said Mr Tippins had been out and bought three bags of heroin. He said he saw Mr Tippins inject himself before he left his flat later in the day.

Coroner Mark Bricknell recorded a drug-related death.