The death of a Tunbridge Wells man which sparked a police investigation has been ruled as drugs related.

Paul Starbuck, who was well known in the area and had distinctive tattoos and piercings, was found dead at a block of flats in Rusthall Grange in April.

The 51-year-old was born in Watford but lived on the streets of Tunbridge Wells for 30 years.

Detectives investigating the father-of-three's death arrested a 30-year-old Ramsgate woman and a 36-year-old man on suspicion of manslaughter, but they were later released without charge.

An inquest into the death was held at Gravesend Old Town Hall today.

The court was told a post mortem revealed heroin and diazapam were present in Mr Starbuck's blood.

Det Ch Insp, Tony Pledger, who gave evidence during the hearing, said the level of heroin found was considered a lethal amount.

Senior coroner, Roger Hatch, was also told Mr Starbuck was exposed to cannabis shortly before his death.

DCI Pledger said: "There is evidence to show he had historically taken heroin. He made attempts to stop but it was worsened by the loss of his friend Mark Holbrook, the death of his dog and complications with his girlfriend."

At the time of Mr Starbuck's death, a resident who did not want to named, said: "He was a nice guy who kept himself to himself. He would pop up every now and again. He was battling some demons and he was trying to turn his life around but now he's gone.

"He was battling some demons and he was trying to turn his life around but now he's gone." - Tunbridge Wells resident

The court heard drug paraphanalia was found in the Rusthall Grange flat when officers discovered Mr Starbuck's body but DCI Pledger said detectives were "unable to demonstrate that any third party gave the lethal dose to him."

"The death came to the notice of police by early suggestions a third party was involved, but this has been fully investigated," he added.

However, during the hearing Mr Starbuck's sister, Vicki Marley, said she found it difficult to understand the closure of the investigation.

She said: "There was no needle in him and no drug paraphernalia found next to him. It was hidden in the attic there must have been a third party to hide the needle, wraps, tissue with blood on and steal his phone.

"If he injected himself he could not possibly take the needle out and hide it in the attic because he would have been dead straight away."

Miss Marley also told the court she has messages on her mobile phone from an acquaintance of her brother saying he "saw him dead and left him dead".

"I don't understand why nothing's been done," she added.

DCI Pledger, who was the investigating officer on the case, said: "It is a fair assumption to say someone had removed items from the scene. There were arrests made but we cant show whether anyone induced the drug into his system."

Mr Hatch recorded a verdict of drugs related death.