A MAN found drowned in a canal, had a mixture of narcotics in his system, an inquest heard yesterday.

Damian Thomas, 32, of Devonshire Street, Lockwood , was discovered floating in Huddersfield Narrow Canal, at Chapel Hill, on July 30, by two friends on a barge.

Huddersfield Coroner’s Court yesterday heard drug addict Mr Thomas had a mixture of amphetamine, morphine and other opiates – possibly heroin – in his system together with a small amount of alcohol when he died.

However, coroner Paul Marks said the level of drugs in his system may have caused impairment but had not, in themselves, caused his death.

Discarded syringes and a pair of crutches Mr Thomas had been given after three knee operations were found in a canal tunnel near the water where his body was discovered.

The spot is known as a hangout for drug addicts.

Dad-of-one Mr Thomas had been a body builder and had spent a brief period in the army before being discharged on medical grounds.

Following his discharge Mr Thomas spiralled into addiction to heroin and crack cocaine. The inquest heard Mr Thomas had been drinking heavily during his last months.

Six months before his death, Mr Thomas was given a community order for stealing protein shakes and a laptop from a gym to feed his habit. A month later in a bid to get clean in prison, he deliberately breached a court order and was jailed.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Marks said: “Although the concentration of drugs was not that high it might have impaired his judgement when walking along the canal which had no formal towpath.”

Earlier Mr Thomas’ mother Lynn Fleming had told of her heartbreak.

She said 32-year-old Damien’s life spiralled for many years as his drugs habit gradually took over all the good things in his life and in the last 12 months he hit rock bottom.

She added: “He turned into someone I didn’t know. We tried to help him so many times.

“He begged to go to rehab but the last time he went he only lasted a week.

“He said they asked him to do something he didn’t want to do.

“But that’s the problem with addicts.”

Sobbing she said: “I want people to know that he was a nice lad before the drugs took hold.

“He joined the army and we were so proud but when he was discharged due to a medical condition he drifted back to drugs.

“He used to say it was like the Devil on his shoulder.”