Man dies in Eastbourne after taking drugs bought on the street

Glasgow-born Joseph Reilly was found dead by a friend at a hotel in Jevington Gardens on November 28 last year.

An inquest at Eastbourne Town Hall heard that, while Mr Reilly had a history of alcohol misuse going back several years, he had not been receiving treatment for drug abuse and it is believed he took a quantity of methadone available to buy on the streets.

A toxicology report read out at the inquest showed Mr Reilly had drunk a large amount of alcohol and there was methadone in his body.

Mr Reilly’s family described him as a much loved son and brother but said his alcoholism had affected his life for a number of years and he had been unable to work.

Recording a narrative verdict, East Sussex coroner Alan Craze said Mr Reilly was not dependent on drugs but had battled with alcohol which led to health problems and his ultimate death.

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