Addict, 31, died after being found unconscious in Telford cinema toilets
A man who was thought to be recovering from drug addiction was found unconscious in a Telford cinema toilet, an inquest has heard.
Alex John Stevens was discovered by staff on March 6 after they unlocked a cubicle at Cineworld, in Southwater.
The inquest heard the 31-year-old, of Wildwood, Woodside, was captured on security cameras entering the gents toilets alone at 5.57pm that evening. He was found more than five hours later.
Mr Stevens was taken to Princess Royal Hospital where tests showed he had opiate derivatives, morphine and cocaine in his system. He was pronounced dead the following morning.
Detective Sergeant Craig Smith, of Malinsgate Police Station, stated: “His family confirmed that he did use drugs, but they felt he had been clean since Christmas 2017.”
Sergeant Smith said Cineworld worker George Carter had noticed that the cubicle was locked and there was no response from inside.
"Mr Carter got a cubicle key. He opened the door from the outside and found a male inside unconscious. An ambulance crew gave cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and police attended. Alex Stevens was later identified by his driving licence," he said.
Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Coroner John Ellery told the inquest: “Alex did die from heroin toxicity and it may have been that his tolerance level may have reduced. There is nothing to suggest he intended to kill himself.
"My assessment is that Alex has overdosed on illicit substances. Given the account given by his family that his use was reduced. I am content that given the circumstances there were no suspicious circumstances."
Mr Stevens' mother, Eileen Stevens, told the inquest she had concerns that her son was not found sooner.
But Mr Ellery replied: "Toilets are very personal and private areas. I am not aware of any procedure for checks. You would have no idea of who is behind a locked door or whether they have been there for five minutes or five hours.
"Cleaners check for cleanliness. No one would monitor CCTV to see who goes in and out of a toilet. As to why Alex was in there for so long, he had taken the heroin and sadly at some point he has lost consciousness. It is a testament to him that you are all here today."
Mr Ellery recorded a conclusion that the death was drug related.
