The family of a troubled man found dead in woodland after an accidental drug overdose say they feel let down after he was discharged from a psychiatric hospital just days before.

Francis Rossiter, 35, known to his family and friends as Frank, died after taking a fatal cocktail of morphine and alcohol in woods in Wildish Road on the Bysing Wood estate, known by police and neighbours as notorious for drug users.

KentOnline's sister paper the Faversham News reported on the woods back in February 2015, when residents with young children said they feared walking through or near them because of persistent drug users and dealers congregating there.

But nothing was done and just months later, Mr Rossiter was found dead there.

The father-of-one has been described as a “family man” who made friends with everyone he met.

Coroner Rachel Redman ruled his death as an accidental overdose of morphine and alcohol at an inquest at Folkestone Magistrates Court yesterday (Wednesday) morning.

It was revealed during the case that Mr Rossiter, a heroin addict with more than 70 convictions, was voluntarily sectioned to St Martin’s in Canterbury in July 2015 but was transferred to a psychiatric intensive care unit in Manchester on August 10 when his behaviour and mental state deteriorated.

But after four days, staff released him because “there was no evidence to say he was psychotic, there was no mental illness which warranted his detention and his symptoms were drug and alcohol misuse”.

The statement from the hospital in Manchester was read out by
coroner Rachel Redman who added that a member of the family had objected to him being detained any longer – contact which family present at the inquest say they were unaware of.

Just four days later, a dog walker found his lifeless body.

His partner of 12 years and mother of his five-year-old daughter Ellie, Lorraine Drury said: “We feel let down by the system.

“Firstly by the hospital in Manchester for letting him leave the hospital. We don’t know who this family member is who called up as his dad is next-of-kin and he was not asked.

“Secondly, the police. We believe that someone else may have been involved with his death as he had a phobia of needles. But the police didn’t even fingerprint the needle used or look at nearby CCTV to see who went into the woods with him.”

DS Fewtrell said at the inquest that this line of investigation was not pursued because there “was no indication of a third party involvement” in their findings.

“He was a lovely person. He had a big family and he loved them all. We all loved him so much. He always had a smile in his face. " - Lorraine Drury

He added: “There was no indication that this was deliberate and no indication this was suicide.”

DS Fewtrell also read out statements from two men known to Mr Rossiter, who were the last to see him and placed him alone at the scene, indicating no third party.

He added that other evidence suggesting it was a lone act included the fact that the needle was found in his hand.

CCTV did not cover the area in question.

Mrs Redman concluded: “Mr Rossiter had a long history of drug and alcohol addiction.

“It wasn’t until he came under the care of St Martin’s Hospital for treatment that he was diagnosed with a mental health disorder.

“The doctor has described his symptoms as drug related and then psychotic. They needed more staff patient ratio and more intensive treatment and the only unit available was in Manchester.

“In Manchester, they wanted to detain him for longer but a member of the family objected to this. They decided that he was not mentally ill and that his symptoms were from drug and alcohol misuse.

“He also refused to stay in hospital. I believe this was an accidental overdose of drugs and alcohol. The family are in the opinion someone else was involved but I have had no evidence of this.

“If such evidence comes to light the police would reopen their case.”

Miss Drury added: “He was a lovely person. He had a big family and he loved them all.

“We all loved him so much. He always had a smile in his face. He treated everyone the same, no matter who they were.

“He liked to be around people and his family as much as possible and made so many friends along the way. There wasn’t a town he could go to without knowing someone.”