A MAN who was found dead in a graveyard had a history of drug taking and mental health issues, an inquest heard.

Jason O'Hagan, 46, formerly of Allanbridge Close, Idle, Bradford, but latterly of no fixed address, was found by a passerby in the graveyard of Holy Trinity Church, Skipton, on March 14 last year.

Paramedics found blister packs of prescription drugs scattered around. They declared Mr O'Hagan dead at 1.17pm.

The inquest held at Northallerton heard that Mr O'Hagan was single and unemployed. He had been in a relationship but the couple had split about two weeks before. He had lived for a short while in hostel accommodation in Bradford but had personal items stolen so left and had been staying with family.

On March 13 he was taken to A&E at Airedale Hospital by his niece as he was anxious.

He told assessment staff he was keen to get his life back on track. He was wanting safe hostel accommodation away from drug addicts as he was getting himself clean. While he knew his family would not see him 'on the street', he did not want to put on them.

Anthony Horan, one of the peer support coordinators with the Cellar Trust multi agency support team, discussed emergency accommodation away from Bradford with him and was to assist in making a referral to Haven mental health crisis support, in Bradford, after his discharge from Airedale.

The mental health team with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust was satisfied Mr O'Hagan was not suffering from acute depression and was satisfied he posed no threat to himself or others.

Mr O'Hagan was given a contact number for Bradford Housing Options in regard to accommodation and he agreed to contact them.

North Yorkshire coroner John Broadbridge said it was unclear when Mr O'Hagan had left the hospital or how he got to Skipton and it appeared he had been 'left to his own devices'. He acknowledged staff had tried to contact his niece and left a text message. His niece had contacted the team on March 15 to say her uncle had been found dead.

Toxicology reports showed he had toxic levels of prescription drugs in his system, along with smaller amounts of Methadone and Diazepam. He suffered from anxiety and depression as well as epilepsy and high blood pressure.

Mr Broadbridge said there was not sufficient evidence to suggest suicide and recorded a verdict Mr O'Hagan died of a drug-related cause.