A Llangattock healthcare expert died after becoming addicted to prescription drugs, an inquest at Pontypridd has been told.

Prof Malcolm Woollard, 56, a former College of Paramedics chairman was found dead at his home in Llangattock, after struggling with his physical and mental health.

The well respected academic first worked for the Welsh Ambulance service in 1996 and later helped to open a research centre in Cardiff.

He went on to be a senior lecturer in Teeside and work in Coventry before retiring in 2012.

Ruling out suicide, assistant coroner Andrew Barkley recorded that Professor Willard’s death was caused by use of prescription medication.

A pathologist found elevated levels of morphine in Professor Woollard’s blood and assistant coroner Mr Barkley said he was a ‘regular over user of different medication including morphine’.

Professor Willard’s death was discovered on July 15 when concerns were raised about mail and parcels at his home and a neighbour entered his home, finding him dead.

GP Dr Mike Bisser said Professor Woollard suffered with a number of long-term health problems - including chronic back pain and ‘significant mental health problems’.

He admitted that Prof Woollard’s use of medication had given him cause for concern but said that he had “vehemently denied’ taking too much when questioned about it.