A coroner has recorded a verdict of death by misadventure after hearing about the death of a Stevenage heroin user.

Coroner Edward Thomas said Robert Watterson died of cardiorespiratory failure at his home in Penn Road, off Six Hills Way.

Heroin, cocaine and a small amount of codeine were all found in the 56-year-old’s body during a post-mortem exam.

Mr Thomas said: “The amount of heroin in his system was within lethal or therapeutic levels, depending on your tolerance levels.”

Paramedics and police were called to Mr Watterson’s ground floor flat in February last year after his friend Justin Satchell called 999 after finding him unconscious on the floor.

The pair had been taking heroin together, Mr Watterson’s brother Alex, who was with them at the time, told police.

Officers who searched his home found multiple syringes and heroin spoons.

There were no signs of injuries to his body.

Mr Thomas said Mr Watterson’s overweight lungs and flabby heart were signs of cardiorespiratory failure and were due to heroin toxicity.

No family or witnesses were present at the inquest, neither was Justin who has also died.