Man is arrested over suspected drug-related death in Burnley (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Man is arrested over suspected drug-related death in Burnley
11:00am Saturday 29th September 2012 in News
POLICE have made an arrest in a suspected drug- related death after a man’s body was found in the street.
Nicholas Dalton, 39, was at a house on Scarlett Street, Burnley, when he fell ill.
He was taken outside by friends but his condition got worse. Paramedics were called but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have now arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs. He has been bailed until December 3.
Sgt Nick Hodgeson from Burnley CID said: “Mr Dalton was with friends and associates when it was first discovered that he wasn’t well.
“It is early days in our enquiries. There are questions that still need to be answered.
“We need to report our findings to the coroner and it’s up to him to decide how Mr Dalton died.
“It’s our responsibility to investigate any death that’s unexplained, whether it’s suspicious or not. It wasn’t initially suspicious, but it was unexplained.
“The drugs supply chain is a factor, but it is not the main line of our enquiries.”
A police spokeswoman said: "His death was not initially treated as suspicious.
“Ambulance staff confirmed that the man was dead. It appears to be drugs related.”
Mr Dalton, who lived in Comrie Crescent, Burnley, has been described as a ‘loveable rogue’ by his family.
His sister Ruth, 41, of of Rutland Street, Nelson, said: “He was no angel, but he had a heart of gold. He would help anyone.
“When the ambulance arrived he was already dead. Police said it was due to the drugs.
“It was an awful shock. We are all extremely upset about his death and are all struggling to cope with the news.
“We have had lots of messages on Facebook from people saying kind words about him. He was a lovely lad who will be sadly missed.”
Mr Dalton, who died last Friday, leaves wife Deborah and stepson Nathan.
He had a sister and three brothers and had lived in Burnley all his life.
He was a promising runner until a serious forklift truck accident badly injured his leg and put him in hospital for 14 months.
Dalton turned to amphetamine and drink after the injury, Ruth said.
She added: “He nearly lost his legs in the accident and he was having a bad time.
"After 12 months rehabilitation he was able to walk again but it limited what he could do.
“After his accident he took to taking drugs, mainly amphetamines, to get him around. He ended up on heroin in the last part of his life.
“The drug taking led him to getting into a bit of trouble.”
In 2007, Mr Dalton was jailed for 29 months after a high-speed police chase through Burnley, and was jailed for a week in 2012 for stealing wine.
His funeral will be held on Friday, October 5, at Christ the King Church at 9.45am, followed by cremation at Burnley at 10.40am.
