A WELL-LIKED and caring man was found dead at a homeless shelter after taking a combination of alcohol and drugs.

Matthew David Street, was discovered in his room at Victoria House in Northwich on July 27, 2021, after he had been drinking with friends the night before.

An inquest at Cheshire Coroners Court on June 24, concluded the 34-year-old, who was not a known drug user, had died from misadventure.

Matthew’s family had raised concerns he had been ‘let down by the system’ as the supported housing development did not offer regular drug and alcohol testing.

But a resettlement worker at Victoria House explained drug and alcohol testing was not in the shelter’s remit as it was not a rehabilitation facility.

She added staff had tried to get Matthew help for his alcohol addiction on numerous occasions, but he had refused.

The court heard Matthew would do anything to help other people, even if it meant going without himself.

An accommodation manager at the shelter described him as ‘one of the nicest residents’ they’d ever had.

The family raised concerns over the untidy state of Matthew's room after his death, but Victoria House staff said he was usually proud of his room, and kept it clean and well-presented.

Police investigated his death and found no evidence of third party involvement or that he had been forced to take drugs.

Assistant coroner Jean Harkin said: “It’s clear Matthew was very well-liked person – he was kind, he was caring, he was sensitive.

“And the evidence shows Matthew’s friends knew when he had had enough, and he wanted them to leave.

“There was no evidence at all that suggests Matthew ever had the stress of having to tell them to leave.

“It also showed that Matthew was a person people wanted to be around.

“The evidence shows he could be taken advantage of, but not in a malicious way.”

Mrs Harkin accepted his cause of death as respiratory depression caused by alcohol and drugs and clarified the family’s concerns about Victoria House had been answered by the witnesses.

She added that Matthew kept a key to his room which meant he could lock his door to keep people out if he wished to.

Mrs Harkin added: “It’s clear that Victoria House does not have the remit from rehabilitation, and it was explained often the residents who go there would not go if there was drug and alcohol testing.

“The evidence also was that if it was known that drugs were being brought in, that would be a matter to report to the police.”

Mrs Harkin ruled out a conclusion of suicide and said Matthew died because of misadventure.

Addressing his family, she concluded: “Matthew performed a purposeful act without intending the consequences.

“Remember what great esteem Matthew was held in, from the staff at Victoria House and the other residents who resided there.”