A MAN whose death sparked a police investigation died as a result of using drugs and and alcohol, a coroner has concluded.

An inquest into the death of 36-year-old Darren Rolfe heard how his body was found kneeling on the floor of the living room of his Newby Road, Breightmet, flat with his head face down in a sofa cushion, on November 1 last year.

His face was bruised and swollen, there were a variety of cigarette butts in an ashtray, several empty cans of lager, a crack pipe and a syringe of heroin nearby.

Acting DCI Stuart Wilkinson, from Greater Manchester Police’s major incident team, told the court that three individuals were interviewed after the body was found, but post-mortem and forensic tests subsequently showed none of nine injuries on his head and body had caused his death.

Instead, pathologist Philip Lumb concluded that Mr Rolfe’s death was due to taking drugs, mainly heroin, combined with consuming more than twice the legal drink driving level of alcohol. There was no indication that he had been restrained.

Mr Rolfe’s aunt, Helen Field, questioned how Mr Rolfe had a fresh needle puncture mark in his left arm when he is left handed.

DCI Wilkinson stated that DNA from a needle found at the scene belonged to another man, but there was not enough evidence to prove it had got there by him using the syringe on Mr Rolfe and it is still not known how he came to be injured.

“It is unfortunate but that is completely unexplained,” said DCI Wilkinson.

Mr Rolfe had mental health problems and returned to Bolton after being deported from Australia, but Assistant Coroner Timothy Brennand accepted his death was not suspicious or a suicide.

“He was in a long standing and persistent battle with his demons,” he added.