A ‘POPULAR and well-liked’ man died from blood loss from head injuries he suffered in a fall following a late-night party, an inquest heard.

Dean Beardsworth, 37, was found dead at his home in Eagle Street, Nelson, in October last year following concerns about his well-being.

Mr Beardsworth, known as Deano, had last been seen two days earlier, stumbling on the street after being asked to leave a party in Poplar Street, where witnesses said he had become a nuisance and was drunk.

An inquest in Burnley heard that Mr Beardsworth, a former Walton High School pupil, had a drink problem and would habitually consume superstrength lager from early in the day.

This had escalated after he had gained around £4,000 from a compensation claim.

His friend, Earl Shepherd, said he had called at Mr Beardsworth’s home repeatedly over the first weekend of October without him answering and was worried.

After seeing a bloodstained quilt through the window he called police and they found Mr Beardsworth dead, with two injuries to the back of his head.

Detective Supt Neil Esseen said the case had been treated as a murder inquiry for five or six days, but there was no evidence of an assault.

He added that Mr Beardsworth had arrived at the party on Poplar Street around 10.30pm uninjured and was asked to leave at around midnight.

Witnesses reported him falling on to the pavement, and detectives later found evidence of blood there.

No reports of disturbance were reported along his “two minute” route home.

All doors at the property were locked and secured from the inside.

Detective Supt Esseen added that all the evidence pointed to Mr Beardsworth sustaining his injuries from falling and hitting his head.

Dr Naomi Carter, who conducted a post-mortem, said blood samples showed readings of more than three times the drink-drive limit and high levels of anti-depressant drugs.

“These alone, without the bleeding from the head, could have led to a fatal outcome,” she said.

Coroner Richard Taylor recorded an open verdict.