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Family's help fails to save life of alcoholic
A TRAGIC alcoholic died after neglecting his health despite the best efforts of his family to help him, an inquest heard.
Out-of-work chef Mark Burton, 38, was found dead at home by his mother with numerous cuts and bruises on his body.
His inquest heard Mr Burton worked as a chef in Harrogate for 12 years before moving back to Hartlepool after a relationship broke down and he began drinking more and more heavily.
Hartlepool Magistrates Court his drinking had escalated over the last three years.
The inquest was also told he suffered some depressive problems and went to support group MIND for help.
However, his drinking continued and he was hospitalised twice in the last year for alcohol-related problems.
His family told the inquest how they tried to keep an eye on Mr Burton, and would go to his aid when he had had too much to drink.
He died at his home in Carr Street, Hartlepool, on May 5.
Police initially investigated his death after Mr Burton was found with a recent head wound, which is now thought to have happened accidentally while he was drunk.
Numerous other small cuts found are also believed to have been self-inflicted.
Hartlepool coroner Malcolm Donnelly said the exact cause of death could not be identified. But it was thought to be linked to Mr Burton's heavy alcohol consumption.
Mr Donnelly said: "We know no-one else was involved and there were no suspicious circumstances.
"Various things had happened in his life which led him to start drinking and with increasing frequency and in more quantity, to the distress of his family and those who loved him and despite their best efforts.
"Sometimes people are set upon a course of action which despite the best efforts of everyone who loves them, they cannot be deflected from."
Mr Donnelly recorded a verdict of accidental death aggravated by self-neglect.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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