A 25-YEAR-OLD man who boasted he could drink 30 pints a day died from a drink and drugs overdose, an inquest heard.

Unemployed Terrence Connell, of St Mark's Avenue, Northfleet, collapsed in central London after injecting himself with heroin.

St Pancras Coroners' Court heard Mr Connell had fought his way through drink and drug problems brought on by grief after the death of his parents.

He succumbed again after a close friend of his died.

A female friend, who disappeared after Mr Connell collapsed in Bucknall Street, in the West End of London, told police she had warned him against taking so much heroin in one go.

He died in University College Hospital, London, on August 13.

Pathologist Dr Diana Cox told the court he was three times over the drink-driving limit and was more than two-and-a-half times over the safe morphine level.

A statement from his GP, read out in court, said Mr Connell had started drinking from a very early age.

He had cut back on both alcohol and drugs until his close friend died, his doctor added.

Coroner Sean McGovern recorded a verdict of death from "dependant misuse of drugs".

December 13, 2001 16:52