Man’s overdose in Christmas tragedy

A MAN died from a drugs overdose on Christmas Day, an inquest heard.

Steven Houghton, 36, had high levels of amphetamine in his body which led to a cardiac arrest and his falling down stairs outside a friend’s flat.

The Ormskirk-born man lived with his parents and suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, coroner’s officer James Martindale told the court.

He spent Christmas Day in Bootle with his parents, who reported their son was in “good spirits” before he left to visit a friend in Litherland at 7pm.

At about midnight, a neighbour in flats in Gorsey Lane heard shouts from a communal area and discovered Mr Houghton, who had fallen down the stairs.

He was treated for a heart attack and taken to Aintree University Hospital where he was intubated to help him breathe.

Soon after, a decision was taken not to resuscitate him, the Gerard Majella Courthouse in Kirkdale, was told.

His death was recorded at 00.22am on Boxing Day last year.

Merseyside police confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the single man’s death.

Toxicology tests revealed he had a very high level of amphetamines and caffeine in his body.

The Class B drug was present at fatal levels, medics said.

It was decided Mr Houghton had died due to amphetamine toxicity.

He did not have an occupation and had been registered with the mental health trust, Merseycare, since 2005, when he was 22.

Coroner Anita Bhardwaj, who said medics had made their best efforts to save Mr Houghton, recorded a verdict of a drug-related death.

Nobody attended the inquest from Mr Houghton’s family, as they were said to be too upset.