A HEROIN addict died of blood loss after injecting methadone, an inquest heard.

Richard Michael Hannaford, 42, of Charles Street, Selby, was found dead in his home on November 24. He had not been seen since November 20 leading police to break their way in.

DC Matthew Dodson found Mr Hannaford lying on his sofa with drugs paraphernalia scattered around him.

He had a towel covering his groin which was covered in blood and there was also blood in the bathroom of the house.

There were also two bottles of methadone in the house, but no illegal drugs. Mr Hannaford, who was born Richard Michael Dawson but changed his name by deed poll to his stepfather’s name, was confirmed dead at the scene by paramedics.

North Yorkshire coroner Rob Turnbull, sitting at Selby Magistrates Court, heard that Mr Hannaford had been a drug user for 17 years and recorded a verdict that he had died because of his dependency on drugs.