DRUGS overdose victim Mark Charles Hudson may have been murdered, his father claimed.

An inquest into the death of 18-year-old Mark, of Norfolk Street, Nelson, was sensationally stopped so that his family can discuss their allegation with Det Chief Insp Garry Gluyas, head of Burnley CID.

Mark was found dead from an overdose of drugs and alcohol behind Primet High School, Colne, early on the morning of November 16.

He and another man had been to the Colne home of Paul Lockett to break the news that Mr Lockett's brother, Simon, had been found that day stabbed to death at a house in Burnley.

The inquest opened on December 6 and was adjourned for a witness, Marvyn Paul Edwards, to attend.

Yesterday after Mr Edwards had given evidence, Mark's father, Mr Gordon Hudson of Parliament Street, Burnley, claimed he was not telling all the truth.

Mr Hudson told East Lancashire Coroner, David Smith: "I personally think he could possibly have been murdered.''

Mr Smith replied: "There is no evidence to suggest it.''

Mr Hudson said: "He has been really heavily persuaded to go round to Paul Lockett's house the same night (that Mr Lockett was knifed to death).''

Mr Smith adjourned the inquest sine die saying an appointment would be made for Mr Hudson to discuss the case with DCI Gluyas to see if the police wanted to make further inquiries.

At the opening DCI Gluyas said police did not suspect that Mark had ever had any involvement in drugs.

Pathologist, Dr WD Salman, said Mr Hudson had died from a cocktail of methadone, diazepam and alcohol.

Yesterday, Mr Edwards, whose address was not given, told the resumed inquest that he was in bed at about 11.45pm on November 15 when Mark rang to say he had read in the paper that Paul's brother, Simon, had been stabbed to death and that they should let Paul know.

They didn't think Paul would know because he was no longer in close touch with his family.

At Mr Lockett's house in Henry Street, Colne, Mark asked for a can of beer and swapped his leather jacket for a bottle of methadone, a prescribed heroin substitute.

Mark drank about a quarter of the contents from the full bottle and about two hours later they left.

Mark , who was then wearing one of Mr Lockett's sweaters, took the bottle and drank from it as they were making their way home.

Mr Edwards said Mark was out of his head but could walk and talk.

As they got further he began bumping into things and falling over.

Mr Edwards said he put his arm around Mark and helped him until they got to an area behind the school.

Mr Edwards said: " I just couldn't help him any more. I lowered him to the floor and ran to my father's house and called an ambulance.''

Asked by Mr Hudson why he had told police lies putting them off target, Mr Edwards said: "I didn't know what to do and then I realised I had to tell the truth.''

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