A WREXHAM man who said he could hear voices and that people “were out to get him” admitted bingeing on cocaine, steroids and alcohol, an inquest heard.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Alberto Salmoiraghi told the hearing in Ruthin that both he and a fellow psychiatrist who assessed Paul Williams on different occasions found no evidence of psychotic symptoms and that his experience was probably due to his drug use.

Mr Williams, 39, died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital on February 12, 2017, after an incident outside his home in Brandy Brook, Johnstown, in which he was Tasered by PC Andy Griffiths.

Despite being hit by the barbs he ran off and then used the blade of a craft knife to slit his throat.

The police had been called to the scene by a paramedic who became concerned for his own life and for Mr Williams’s sister and mother when he started brandishing a knife.

Mr Williams, who was sacked from his job at the town’s JCB factory in September, 2016, had called the ambulance service to say he needed help.

In the early hours of that morning he had also called the police twice and claimed that people “had it in for him”.

Dr Salmoiraghi told the inquest that Mr Williams was first diagnosed with depression in 2001 and then further seen in 2012, after which he saw his GP and mental health service on several occasions.

He told doctors that he had resumed the use of steroids in 2006 and that, said the psychiatrist could contribute to mood swings.

Mr Williams engaged with the substance abuse organisation CAIS and in his various consultations with his GP or mental health service gave no indication of self-harming. At some of the meetings he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

In September, 2016, he admitted bingeing on cocaine, steroids and alcohol.

“But there were no psychotic symptoms,” said Dr Salmoiraghi.

Richard Cowley, an investigator with the Independent Office for Police Conduct – formerly the Independent Police Complaints Commission – told the inquest that all police employees involved at each stage, including the call operators and the officers who attended the scene, had followed the correct protocols and procedures.

“The investigation did not result in any misconduct proceedings,” he said.

The hearing before a jury is expected to be concluded tomorrow.