A DAD who used drugs as a ‘coping mechanism’ after the death of his son died after taking several substances, an inquest heard.

Paul Akred died aged 44 at his home address on Harrison Street, Barrow, on January 14. His family attended his inquest in Cockermouth on July 16.

Former partner Kirsty Greenway told the court during their four years together before splitting in 2009 they had a daughter and a son called Leo who died. The court heard Mr Akred, a former Greengate Juniors and Alfred Barrow School pupil, started on party drugs when he was younger.

After Leo died, Mr Akred went ‘back to drugs’, the inquest was told.

“I know the pain losing Leo caused us both,” Ms Greenway told the court. “I just wished he had not used drugs as a coping mechanism.”

She said he was ‘very protective’ of his daughter: “He was at his happiest being with her. When we lost Leo - Paul changed overnight,” she said.

Mr Akred had periods of employment, including as a labourer. However, the court heard that he had to battle his ‘demons.’

The court heard Mr Akred became friends with fellow user Marc Woods, which ‘did not help the situation.’ Mr Woods said he had stayed at Mr Akred’s house for five months, living on his sofa.

Earlier that day, they took pregabalin and ‘Xanax,’ Mr Woods said. The court heard they bought two £20 bags of heroin in the evening.

Mr Woods told the court Mr Akred was ‘snoring loudly’ and that he made a video of him ‘on my phone as a joke to tell him how loudly he was snoring.’

Mr Woods then watched television – until Mr Akred ‘stopped snoring’ in the early hours of the morning. The court heard Mr Woods rang 999 at 00.59am and administered CPR. Paramedics took over with Mr Akred in cardiac arrest.

They managed to get circulation and he was taken to Furness General, the court heard. Mr Akred died at 8.48am after doctors discovered he had a hypoxic brain injury.  

According to the toxicology report, Mr Akred had a fatal level of morphine in his system, as well as several other drugs.

Coroner Kirsty Gomersal said the other drugs 'potentiated the heroin’.

Ms Gomersal concluded: “He was a much-loved father, son, uncle, brother and cousin. Drugs do not define who Paul actually was.”