A 40-YEAR-OLD handyman was found dead in bed following a drug overdose, an inquest heard.

Justin Cooper, born in Southampton, was found by his partner on August 7 in their shared house in Wilton, after he consumed half a month’s worth of medication at once.

The drugs, combined with Justin’s previous heroin addiction, had caused a fatal mix, the inquest heard on Tuesday.

It was heard that Justin had been a heroin addict for many years prior to his death, but was “fed up with the lifestyle”.

He was prescribed medication to help him achieve a “heroin free existence”, assistant coroner Ian Singleton said.

He was also attending a drugs programme to help with his health and wellbeing.

In a statement from Justin’s partner Valerie Smith, read out at the coroner’s court by Mr Singleton, Mr Cooper was described as a “big character”, and he moved into her home on Randall’s Croft Road earlier this year.

It was heard that Justin had gone to see his parents on August 6 and feeling tired, he returned to his partner’s home and went to sleep at around 9pm.

Valerie did not see him again until 2pm the following day, and there was no sign he had left the bedroom where he was asleep.

“I cleaned the house but still no sign [of him], no dishes left in the kitchen.

“I could tell something was wrong,” her statement said.

After finding Justin, Valerie called South Western Ambulance Service, and on arrival paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

“I could see it was too late, there was nothing I could do,” Valerie’s statement said.

Police also arrived at the scene at around 4pm.

A statement from Dr James Banfield, of Old Orchard Surgery, Wilton, said that Justin had previous heroin dependence, and had been “regrettably taking weeks of medication at the time he passed away”.

It was also heard that Justin had suffered with other conditions including Crohn’s disease, lower back problems and nerve entrapment, and was dealing with mental health issues.

A statement from the ambulance service added that the mixture of drugs, taken at such a quantity, could result in fatalities, harm or death.

A conclusion of death by drug toxicity was recorded.