THE conclusion of the inquest into the death of an Oswestry man who had a seizure will be delayed as a coroner decided to give it more thought.

Michael Jason Pullen, 45, died at his property in Salop Road in March this year after he had a seizure and both a family member and paramedics tried to resuscitate him.

In an inquest attended by three brothers – including one over the phone – and the deceased’s two daughters, Shropshire coroner John Ellery adjourned the hearing to clarify more details that would better lend themselves to give a conclusion.

The court heard that Mr Pullen had a high level of cocaine in his body when he died on March 13, according to reports prepared by pathologist Dr Ellen Cobby and forensic toxicologist Dr Hassan Kurimbokus.

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They highlighted that he also had low levels of alcohol, caffeine and proscribed medication in his system.

Wayne Pullen, speaking at the inquest, said he was with his brother at the time and that he had been concerned around issues in his private life.

Mr Ellery told the court that Mr Pullen was found a sealed bag of cocaine in his bowel, which had passed through his stomach, but that it had remained unbroken and was not the cause of his death.

He said: “The bag had not broken but this did not kill him so other levels might have been the cause.”

However, Anthony Pullen, another brother, said he had been told by a coroner’s officer that the bag had broken and must have been the cause of his death, but Mr Ellery reiterated Dr Kurimbokus’s report that the bag had not broken.

The court also heard that Mr Pullen had expressed some suicidal thoughts prior to his death but Mr Ellery told the family that he had not been presented with evidence to suggest it was his intention to take his own life.

The coroner decided to give his conclusion at a later date, to allow himself more time to speak to his coroner’s officer and also weigh up his conclusion.

What happens at an inquest and what can the press report?

Reporting on inquests is one of the most difficult jobs faced by any journalist, but there are important reasons why local newspapers attend coroner’s court hearings and report on proceedings.

Here we will try and answer some of your questions about what will happen, what can be reported and why.

Mr Ellery told the family he will also write to them within a week to express his thoughts and that if needed, a new hearing will be scheduled.

But he added that if he has reached a conclusion in that time, he will write to the family and members of the press to confirm.

The hearing was adjourned.