A welder was found dead in his bedroom after taking an “excessive quantity” of cocaine, an inquest has heard.

Police were called to a house of multiple occupation on Cresswell Street in North Lynn on Tuesday, September 23, following reports of a man deceased in the property.

Resident Thomas Rainford, 42, was discovered in his bed under a duvet by his landlord after no one had heard from him for five days.

Officers believed there were no suspicious circumstances relating to his death – but noted he had bruising to the left side of his body.

His inquest at Norfolk Coroners’ Court today revealed that Mr Rainford suffered from alcoholism, drug addiction, asthma and depression, for which he was receiving medication.

He was also being supported by the charity Change Grow Live to try to tackle his substance abuse issues.

A month before his death, Mr Rainford had picked up his prescription for an inhaler, which his GP said indicated that he was making an effort to look after his health.

A post-mortem showed he had a “very high concentration” of cocaine in his system when he died.

Area coroner Johanna Thompson confirmed that Mr Rainford “was sadly found dead from the toxic effects of taking an excessive quantity of cocaine”.

“I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Mr Rainford’s family and friends,” she said.