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Popular man died after 'deadly cocktail' of drugs and alcohol

A popular Walsall man died after taking a 'fatal cocktail mix' of drugs and alcohol, an inquest heard.

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Stephen Pinner, aged 42, from Castlefort Road, was found dead by a dog walker on playing fields in Coseley, in the early hours of November 16.

Drug needles were found near to his body.

A conclusion of a drugs related death was given.

Mr Pinner's brother, Lee Knowles, spoke of him as being as charitable, compassionate person who was a Christian and talented musician.

The hearing was told he had also recently returned from rehab in Derby and appeared to have started to 'clean himself up'.

Mr Knowles said: "He was a really happy go lucky guy who was always centre of attention and found himself in the Christian faith and was baptised four years ago.

"He was a fantastic musician and very artistic. He would always be there for others and was such a helpful, charitable person. But his downside was the alcohol.

"The last time I saw him he had his head in the bible and was well. He had started to clean himself up."

Black Country Coroners Court heard how Mr Pinner had been out with a friend on November 15 and they were 'drinking and purchasing various drugs'.

The following morning just before 7.30am a dog walker found him lying face down unconscious on the playing fields off The Castings estate.

It was thought that he may have been walking through to get to his bus stop.

A full body search was carried out by police officers and no signs of injuries were found. He was identified from his travel ID card and bible, the inquest heard.

A post mortem found that there was evidence of a number of different drugs and alcohol in his system.

The cause of death given was heroin and morphine toxicity.

Senior Coroner Zafar Siddique said: "The drugs and alcohol all combined together have gave a fatal cocktail mix.

"These combined effects led to a respiratory depression that sadly led to his death.

"It is very clear that he was loved dearly by his family and friends."

Ray Morris, from the Hope Church in West Bromwich which Mr Pinner used to attend, said: "I have known him for about four years and he was a charitable man who looked after others and was dedicated to his faith."

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