A WREXHAM man who admitted bingeing on cocaine, steroids and alcohol knew the risks involved, an inquest heard.

Social worker Sally Greenwood told the hearing in Ruthin that Paul Williams was aware that cocaine made him paranoid but was engaging well in his effort to overcome his addictions.

The 39-year-old even drew up a list of 17 actions which he thought would help him, including buying a car, getting his own place to live, going for walks and reading more.

“That is quite unusual,” said Ms Green wood, who last saw Mr Williams on January 25, 2017, just three weeks before he died. “In general he was engaging and was making positive steps.......he did have an insight into the effects that drugs and alcohol had on him.”

The inquest has heard how Mr Williams cut his throat with a craft knife blade on February 12 after being Tasered by a police officer outside his home in Brandy Brook, Johnstown. The Taser was ineffective and Mr Williams, who had earlier been seen carrying a kitchen knife, ran off.

He had earlier called the ambulance service, claiming he needed help and that people were “out to get him”.

Asked by David Lewis, assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central, if she was surprised to learn that Mr Williams had killed himself, Ms Greenwood replied: “I was shocked.”

She said the former JCB factory worker has spoken to her several times about his addictions but had not mentioned self-harming.

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

The Independent Office for Police Conduct – formerly the Independent Police Complaints Commission – found that the three police officers who attended had followed the correct protocols and procedures and there were no misconduct proceedings as a result.

After considering submissions by legal representatives for the family, North Wales Police and Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, the coroner said he needed time to consider the matter before addressing the jury, and the hearing will be resumed today.