Paranoid addict found dead in Burnley

A BURNLEY man’s life began to fall apart as his addiction to amphetamines went out of control, an inquest heard.

Alfred Leverett, 49, became increasingly paranoid and removed all the internal doors at his home in Kent Street, the town's coroner's court was told.

And, when friends went to clear out the property after his death, they found hundreds of tiny crosses covering the walls.

He was eventually found dead having collapsed on the footbridge between Trafalgar Street and George Street, Burnley, on February 26.

A post-mortem exam by consultant pathologist Dr Walid Salman found that Mr Leverett had a high concentration of cannabis and amphetamines in his system.

His friend Ronnie Houghton, of Kyme Street, said the deceased had visited him earlier that night and had taken both drugs.

Eventually Mr Leverett left but had to turn back on Active Way when he realised he had left his house key behind.

Mr Houghton said he was “frantic” and he tried to calm him down.

He feared Mr Leverett was “going to have a heart attack”, saying: “I think he had gone too far with it (amphetamines).

“If you do it too much then this paranoia sets in.

“It was a shame but he let the drugs get the better of him.”

Recording an accidental death verdict, East Lancashire deputy coroner Mark Williams said that sadly his drugs use had led to his death that night.

Comments (4)

8:30pm Thu 25 Oct 12

Jack Herer says...

What a tragic case. Amphetamine addicts live the most bizarre lives; up for 5 days solid, then sleep for 2 days - an insanity inducing cycle which some people do for years.

It's a serious drug.

It's wrong that it's class B therefore, same as weed, and ecstasy is class A, when amphetamines are far more dangerous drugs. Anyone who takes them for long enough goes doo lally - there's no "if" with amphetamine on that front.

Amphetamines should be class A. The fact they are the same classification as weed, and lower than ecstasy, just for political reasons, isn't helping stop tragic cases like this.
What a tragic case. Amphetamine addicts live the most bizarre lives; up for 5 days solid, then sleep for 2 days - an insanity inducing cycle which some people do for years. It's a serious drug. It's wrong that it's class B therefore, same as weed, and ecstasy is class A, when amphetamines are far more dangerous drugs. Anyone who takes them for long enough goes doo lally - there's no "if" with amphetamine on that front. Amphetamines should be class A. The fact they are the same classification as weed, and lower than ecstasy, just for political reasons, isn't helping stop tragic cases like this. Jack Herer

8:32pm Thu 25 Oct 12

Jack Herer says...

Good reporting from the Lancs telegraph incidentally. Whoever it is; there's no name.
Good reporting from the Lancs telegraph incidentally. Whoever it is; there's no name. Jack Herer

1:03pm Fri 26 Oct 12

BURNLEYITE39 says...

grtt
grtt BURNLEYITE39

1:04pm Fri 26 Oct 12

BURNLEYITE39 says...

worst drug going,made me suffer "BAD" paranoia for 5-6 yrs n i dint dare touch it again n still wont,horrible drug
worst drug going,made me suffer "BAD" paranoia for 5-6 yrs n i dint dare touch it again n still wont,horrible drug BURNLEYITE39

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