A GRANDFATHER who was killed and dumped in a reservoir had taken a large amount of heroin before his death, a court heard.

A jury at Manchester Crown Court was previously told how 48-year-old Darren McMinn had gone to Candido Pereira’s Chorley New Road basement flat on April 11 in order to take drugs.

But whilst there he was strangled to death after sustaining other injuries including fractured ribs and a stab wound to one of his arms.

Pereira, aged 37, admits killing Mr McMinn, wrapping his body in a carpet and sheet and disposing of it at Yarrow Reservoir, near Rivington, from where it was recovered two weeks later.

But he denies murdering Mr McMinn, claiming he acted in self defence.

Giving evidence on the fifth day of the trial, forensic pathologist Kirsten Turner said she found approximately 1,200mg of morphine, a break down product of heroin, per litre of Mr McMinn’s blood.

Other drugs, including cocaine were also found in his body.

Miss Turner added that although the amount of heroin taken by Mr McMinn could be fatal, he was a long-standing drug user and so could have built up a tolerance.

“It is very difficult with heroin to say what would be a fatal dose,” she added.

The defence case is due to start on Monday and, following final speeches from barristers and a summing up of the case by the judge, the jury is expected to start considering its verdict on Wednesday.