Questions remain in relation to overdose

MYSTERY surrounds the death of a Burton heroin addict who overdosed – with doubts raised over who injected her with the fatal dose.

Alison Smart, 47, was a regular drug user and would take heroin and cocaine with Lee Huff at their home in Shannon Approach.

Her inquest yesterday heard she died from “heroin, alcohol and pregabalin toxicity” on August 21 last year.

But coroner Andrew Haigh said there was not enough evidence to rule whether she or Mr Huff injected the lethal dose of heroin into the side of her neck.

He told the hearing: “If Mr Huff has injected her, on the balance of probabilities, I’d give a verdict of ‘unlawful killing’ as it amounts to manslaughter.”

Mr Huff had been due to give evidence at the inquest but did not attend, having now moved away from the area.

Recording an open verdict, Mr Haigh said: “Ms Smart was a regular drug user and known to have a number of other health problems. At the time of her death, she was living with

Mr Huff, who was also a regular drug user.

“Ms Smart’s death was the result of a combination of drugs and alcohol.

“The heroin is likely to have been injected through a site in her neck.

“The concern is whether she’s injected herself or someone injected it into her.

“There’s been a police investigation and Mr Huff was arrested and interviewed. He said they’d both taken drugs and injected themselves.

“She became unwell and he gave her naloxone (a medication used to block the effects of opioids). They went to sleep and he later found her dead.

“There’s a suggestion drug users will conceal their criminality to avoid prosecution.

“Mr Huff has not attended today, but (if he had) he may have said nothing to incriminate himself or given blanket denials. I’m satisfied Alison herself willingly had the drugs and alcohol. The question is, has she injected herself or has Mr Huff injected her?

“If she’s injected herself, on the balance of probabilities, this is a drug-related death.

“If Mr Huff has injected her, on the balance of probabilities, I’d give a verdict of ‘unlawful killing’ as it amounts to manslaughter.

“Sadly, the evidence is insufficient to say which of these (scenarios) apply. Overall, my decision is to leave matters open.”

Investigating officer DS Lucy Spicer earlier told the inquest Mr Huff called

999 when he found

Ms Smart was not breathing.

He was arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs and told police he had taken drugs with Ms Smart the night before her death.

During a police interview, Mr Huff said Ms Smart had injected the heroin in the bathroom.

He said she came through to the bedroom and overdosed shortly afterwards, telling the officer her “lips went blue”.

After giving her naloxone to “bring her round”, the pair watched films, he said, and Ms Smart fell asleep on his chest.

When he woke, Ms Smart was snoring and he went back to sleep. But the next time he woke, she was not breathing, so he called 999 and conducted CPR.

DS Spicer said: “We have no evidence to say anyone else injected Alison, we only have Lee’s account to say she injected herself. If further evidence came to light, of course, we would carry on investigating.” Mr Haigh said alcohol and pregabalin – a prescription used to treat a range of conditions, including epilepsy and anxiety – could have an “additive effect” and cause “more toxicity” when mixed with heroin.

Low levels of other substances, including codeine, diazepam – both painkillers – and cocaine were also found in Ms Smart’s blood.

She had been a “significant past smoker” and had a history of medical and mental health issues, including “alcohol problems”, anxiety and depression.

The question is, has she injected herself or has Mr Huff injected her?

Coroner Andrew Haigh