A WOMAN was jailed after her friend died from a heroin overdose.
A Huddersfield inquest heard yesterday the details surrounding Karl Perkins’ death.
The 50-year-old was found dead at his flat at Cornrace View, off Kings Mill Lane, on December 22, 2009.
The inquest heard how, following his death, his friend Stephanie Bushby pleaded guilty to possession and supply of heroin and was sentenced to six months in jail.
Prof Paul Marks, the deputy coroner for Huddersfield, said Mr Perkins was discovered after his friend Natalie Mitchell became worried she had not seen him for a long time.
She called at his home and saw that he was unresponsive in his armchair so she alerted the police.
Coroner Marks said investigating police officers found a note from Ms Busby in Mr Perkins’ house.
It was addressed to Mr Perkins. It said she had seen him fall asleep and couldn’t wake him so she had left him in the armchair.
In the same letter she thanked him for the “gear” and wished him Merry Christmas.
Prof Marks said that a separate note written on a cigarette paper said: “This Rizla has got the gear in it – don’t throw it away.”
A toxicological report prepared by Richard Sykes said Mr Perkins had died from opiate toxicity from a heroin overdose.
Summing up Prof Marks said: “The only logical verdict to consider in this case is that his death was attributable to taking drugs.”
