Forest Bank prisoner found in his cell died from effects of 'drug toxicity'

An inmate who was found dead in his prison cell died due to the effects of 'multiple drug toxicity', an inquest has heard.

Darren Rawlinson's body was discovered in his cell at Forest Bank prison in Salford on January 29, 2017. The 38-year-old, originally from Stockport, had just two weeks of a three-year sentence left to serve.

An inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court has previously heard that Mr Rawlinson 'consumed various drugs', which had contributed towards his death. A toxicology report revealed that Mr Rawlinson had traces of several substances in his system, including methadone and pregabalin - a prescription drug typically used to treat nerve damage, epilepsy and anxiety.

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Forensic pathologist Dr Naomi Carter said a post-mortem examination had given Mr Rawlinson's cause of death as 'bronchopneumonia' due to 'multiple drug toxicity'.

She added that Mr Rawlinson was being prescribed a number of medications, including methadone, mirtazapine and nortriptyline at the time of death.

The effect of the drugs could have depressed Mr Rawlinson's central nervous system, said Dr Carter, leaving him "predisposed to the development of a chest infection".

The inquest heard that Mr Rawlinson had a history of substance abuse and psychiatric problems, and appeared 'intoxicated' while working in the kitchen prison on the day before his death.

Maureen Mann, who worked at Forest Bank at the time, said she was aware that Mr Rawlinson had been using subutex - a drug similar to heroin - during his time at the prison.

She said she aware that Mr Rawlinson had previously used heroin and that when she spoke to him in the weeks before his death, he expressed