A BUILDER from Darwen died after taking large amounts of paracetamol in a short space of time, an inquest heard.

Raymond Terrence Baron, of Hilton Road, Darwen, was found dead at his home on January 4 by his friend, Patricia Brindle.

Paramedics were called and Mr Baron was pronounced dead at the scene.

During an inquest at Blackburn Coroner’s Court, coroner Michael Singleton ruled ‘misadventure’ had caused the death and said there was no indication Mr Baron had committed suicide.

During the inquest, pathologist Dr Richard Prescott described how the liver had been failing and tests had found Mr Baron’s blood contained 73mg of paracetamol per litre. He said the normal level would be 20mg to 30mg.

Dr Prescott explained how the paracetamol appeared to have been taken in large quantities over a period of two or three days. The inquest had heard that Mr Baron had a history of alcoholism and was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous.

He had suffered from cancer which had led to severe gout, which is why he had been prescribed painkillers including morphine.

Mr Baron’s brother Gary told the inquest: “I spoke to him the day before and he had been in a really good mood because he hadn’t had a drink in two days.”

Mr Singleton said: “It seems to me there is nothing to suggest he had wanted to take his own life.

“It was not an accident that he took the tablets but what was not intended was the outcome.”