Inquest told of health problems

Steven Cheesman had a number of health problems during his life including high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes and pancreatitis.

An inquest heard Mr Cheesman took 'a considerable amount of drugs' to control his health issues which became prominent four years ago.

Karen Willis had lived with Mr Cheesman for six years. For the past 18 months the couple stayed at a small caravan in the Lillies Nursery & Caravan Park in Yapton Road, Barnham.

She told the inquest her partner often complained of chest and abdomen pains. Mr Cheesman (27) was diagnosed with suspected pancreatitis and then developed diabetes. He was prescribed medication including morphine, to help the pain associated with his pancreatitis. He also suffered from high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Ms Willis said her partner became 'quite depressed' after the diagnosis and only occasionally attended diabetic clinics for check-ups.

The inquest heard Mr Cheesman ran out of his morphine on November 5 and did not get a new supply until three days later. This could have made the morphine in his body toxic. St Richard's Hospital pathologist Dr Monteith said: "The level of morphine in his blood at that time could be harmful for someone who had stopped taking the tablets."

Ms Willis told the inquest she discovered Mr Cheesman early on November 11 and thought he was snoring loudly. She tried to stir him but realised something was wrong. Despite paramedics trying to revive Mr Cheesman, he died in the ambulance outside his home.

She described her partner as 'funny, knowledgeable, very kind and always willing to help'.

Summing up, deputy coroner Dr David Skipp said: "From the evidence Mr Cheeseman was not a well man.

"At 27 years of age to suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and severe abdominal pain, it is a lot for someone of a very young age and I expect he felt quite unwell for a period of his life."

His cause of death was recorded as hypertensive heart disease with contributory factors including some morphine toxicity.

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