A MAN with a history of drugs abuse was found dead from a morphine overdose in a field at Coffinswell, an inquest heard today (Tuesday).

Matthew Matthews, 47, had been living rough in a makeshift tent on land behind Devon Motor Homes, the hearing in Torquay was told.

It was revealed that three months earlier the deceased had been released from prison where he had tried to cut his wrists on at least two occasions. But South Devon coroner Ian Arrow ruled that the death - discovered on May 24 - was drugs-related and not suicide.

The cause of death was given as a drugs overdose with the body containing ‘very high’ levels of morphine and ‘high’ measures of amphetamines.

Drugs paraphernalia was found at the death scene, including packets of needles.

Mr Matthews was discovered lying face-down on a duvet under a hedge by police dog Yogi and his Ashburton-based handler PC Stewart White.

Police had been called in by the man’s anxious mother Gillian Worth, a retired dressmaker from Kingskerswell.

In a statement read at the inquest she said her son had been living at Newton Lodge in Newton Road, Torquay, after his February release from prison where he had served a two-year sentence. But he had quit the accommodation and moved to the Coffinswell field as he liked the outdoors.

She revealed that her son had ‘issues’ since his schooldays. He had later become a drugs user, she suspected he was an alcoholic and may have been autistic. Mother and son kept in contact with texts and phone calls on a daily basis.

Mrs Worth revealed her son was talking about learning to drive and thinking of taking her out for a meal. He was not depressed, but he was on medication which he refused to take because it made him drowsy.

Mr Matthews was reported as a missing person when she could not contact him. She directed police to the area where he had been living rough.

Three weeks earlier she had suspected him of drugs abuse after noticing his pin-pricked hand was swollen.

Det Con Tim Lavercombe, of Newton Abbot CID, said no evidence was found at the death scene that suggested Mr Matthews had tried to deliberately take his life. He added that there were no suspicious circumstances.

Mr Arrow agreed that there were no indications that the death was suicide and

expressed regret that Mr Matthews had died in such circumstances.