Councillor's son died after 'colossal' drug use

Robert Clark, 33, died on the beach at Glyne Gap having taken a "colossal" amount of the drug.

His father Councillor Charles Clark attended an inquest at Hastings Magistrates Court on Wednesday and heard coroner Mr Alan Craze return a verdict of dependence on drugs.

Charlie Clark told the Observer: "He was a very caring, loving son - very generous to his friends and his family.

"I loved him lots."

The court heard how Robert, an occasional barman who lived at home with his parents in Kinver Lane in Pebsham, had been staying for six months with a friend, Alan Hopkins, in Terminus Road.

They had known each other for approximately two years - Mr Hopkins described him as "an outstanding character".

Robert's parents last saw him on Sunday, May 20 2007 when he came back to change his clothes and got ready to go out.

He then left to go for a drink at the Pelham Hotel during the afternoon and evening and ended up bringing friends back from the pub at closing time.

Mr Hopkins was angry he had invited "unsavoury" strangers back home and they argued, resulting in Robert leaving the premises after midnight and walking away.

He was not seen again until his body was found at Glyne Gap the next morning at 8am by beach patrol Brian Fox, lying flat with his arms by his sides and his feet slightly apart.

Mr Fox thought he was asleep at first but quickly realised he was dead and called for the police and ambulance, having asked a dog-walker to watch over the body.

Scene of Crime officers found a black Motorola mobile phone on the ground nearby, a packet of cocaine in his pocket and 400 cash.

Post mortem examination revealed evidence of fatal cocaine poisoning in his blood, as well as alcohol levels of approximately twice the legal limit for driving.

Mr Clark said his son "had spells when he would drink very heavily", and had suffered periods of depression and being withdrawn to the extent he had previously tried to take his own life by taking a sleeping pill overdose.

It became evident he was using cocaine two years ago and Robert admitted he could get through 300 worth at the height of his addiction.

Robert grew up in Bexhill and was a pupil at St Richard's school. At 17 he was enjoying his work as a mechanic at a gearbox company in Bexhill Road but then had a motorbike accident which left lasting damage.

Outside the court Mr Clark said: "He seemed all right but apparently he had a few mental health problems because of the accident and was diagnosed not fit for work.

"After that he had alcohol and drug problems. I tried to help and arranged counselling meetings for him, got him referred by the doctor and attended appointments with him but he would not see it through.

He attended one counselling appointment but then not the next one."