THE “chaotic lifestyle” of a York man came to a tragic end when he hanged himself from a tree after taking a cocktail of drugs.

Just before taking his own life, Lee Bradley – described as “a fun-loving lad with a lot to give” – made a tearful apology to his friends when they spoke to him about his behaviour.

The body of 23-year-old Mr Bradley, with a scarf tied around his neck, was discovered later that day by a man walking his dog on St Nicholas Fields, in Tang Hall, York.

Traces of cocaine, cannabis and Ecstasy were found in former barman Mr Bradley’s system. An inquest heard he had battled depression and insomnia and had taken 75 Valium tablets last October.

The death of Mr Bradley, of Wilberforce Avenue, Clifton, sparked a stream of Facebook tributes which described him as a “voice of reason” and a “lovely guy”, but also somebody “looking for everything to fall into place”.

William Rawcliffe told the inquest he saw Mr Bradley – a friend for 18 years – under the influence of drugs “on a number of occasions” and told him he was “not happy with his behaviour” after a night out last Christmas.

“On January 2, he was at a friend’s house and they were unhappy with him because he left Valium tablets within reach of their child,” he said.

“He was slurring and didn’t appear co-ordinated. We told him to take responsibility for his actions and that he couldn’t keep behaving the way he was. He looked shocked and kept saying he had done nothing.

“We didn’t shout at him – we were like parents trying to give him guidance, but he started crying and said ‘I don’t know why I do it’. When he left, he was still upset and said ‘I’m sorry’.”

Shortly afterwards, dog-walker Rupert Lavers found Mr Bradley’s body.

The dead man’s GP, Dr Emma Olandj, said Mr Bradley had admitted using drugs, but had missed several appointments.

Recording a suicide verdict, York coroner Donald Coverdale said: “It’s clear that, in the last months of his life, he led something of a chaotic lifestyle and his judgement may have been impaired by use of illicit drugs.

“He was a young man who needed help and help was at hand, but he was not prepared to take up the offers and opportunities.”