Drink and drugs led to son's death

8:29am Thursday 24th July 2008

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The distraught father of a man who died after a heavy night drinking and drug taking last night urged youngsters to learn from his son's death.

Peter Mills, of Weavers Close, Witney, said his 23-year-old son Daniel would "still be here with us" if it was not for drink and drugs.

Daniel was found in the garden of a house in Wadards Meadow, Witney, just yards from his girlfriend Jean Tuckey's house on March 22.

An inquest heard the cocktail of drink and drugs meant he would not have been able to feel himself getting colder while lying the garden.

Mr Mills, flanked by Daniel's mother Linda, said: "Had he not drunk as much and taken those drugs he would still be here today.

"Since Daniel's death, I've realised how rife the problem is. I just hope that youngsters will take notice of this and use it as a warning."

He said drinking and drug taking had become "too acceptable" among young people.

Mr Mills added: "They just don't realise the dangers. If Daniel's death helps make people more aware then maybe some good can come of it."

The inquest at County Hall yesterday heard Daniel argued with his girlfriend at about 3am and she asked him to leave, which he did.

But the effects of the cocaine, anti-depressants, 12 cans of lager and glasses of wine he had consumed during the evening left him in "such a state" that he would not have felt himself getting colder on the freezing March night.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner, who ruled his death was an accident, said: "It was clearly an unintended event, having consumed alcohol and taken drugs. He must have lost consciousness quite quickly and hypothermia led to his death."

Paying tribute to his son, Mr Mills said: "He was just a gentleman. Without drink inside him he was the gentlest, kindest lad you could ever wish to meet, an angel."

He also leaves behind brothers Phillip and Paul.

The inquest heard hypothermia is exacerbated by alcohol, particularly when consumed in large volumes.

Ms Tuckey said when Mr Mills left her home she assumed he would go to his mother's house ten minutes away. She threw a bag of his belongings out of the house after him, but was surprised to see the bag still there the next morning.

Det Sgt Howard Berry, of Oxford CID, said: "Mr Mills' jumper was found in Cogges Hill Road, which is the opposite direction to where he was found. We were never able to establish how it got there. We can only assume he had been walking around."