A CORONER halted an inquest on a former drug addict for a second time after two important witnesses failed to attend.

Blackburn Coroner Andre Rebello ordered witness summonses to be issued in respect of a man and a woman who failed to attend the Accrington hearing. Mr Rebello said he opened the inquest on Stephen John Cain, 30, of Frederick Street, Accrington, on July 18, the day after he was found dead at his home.

Death was due to an overdose of morphine and diabetes mellitus.

Mr Rebello said Mr Cain's girl friend Lisia Mellaine Walker had given evidence at the previous hearing that he had been released from prison three days before his death after serving seven months and he had been a user of heroin before going into prison.

But she never saw him take drugs after coming out of prison.

The Coroner said that on the night before his death Mr Cain had been out socially with a friend. He added:"I am concerned about how he had a fatal toxic amount of morphine in his body."

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