Overdose theory on death at police HQ

A man found dead on the steps of Kidderminster police station died after taking an overdose of painkillers, an inquest heard.

Leon Laga, of Bewdley Hill, had a row with his parents over his heavy drinking and they asked him to leave the family home.

The 24-year-old phoned the nearby police station saying he needed somewhere to stay.

He was found dead at the top of the steps outside the station at 8am on January 15, 2005.

He was on his knees with a cigarette in one hand and a lighter in the other, lying against a wall.

The cause of death was revealed at his inquest at Stourport Coroner's Court yesterday as poisoning from two types of painkillers which contained paracetamol and codeine. Alcohol was also found in his system as well as traces of valium.

Sergeant Mark Wilkes told the inquest he "had got it wrong" when he decided to let Leon sleep at the front of the station due to his fragile mental state.

The hearing continues.