THE DEVASTATED mother of a man who died after taking heroin has spoken of her grief for her "baby boy".

Lee Jason Bessant, 26, was found at an address in Somerton Park, Newport, last Sunday.

Yesterday, we revealed how Mr Bessant and another man were discovered dead after apparently taking heroin - and how police say their deaths add to the toll of misery in Gwent the drug is causing. Detectives estimate that one person a week dies in Gwent after using the drug.

Mr Bessant lived with his mum Margaret, 56, at Parry Drive, Alway, Newport. She said: "He was my youngest. He was my baby boy. I have not touched his bedroom yet.

"He was so happy. Everybody liked him. I have had so many cards off neighbours and friends. Nobody will say anything against him.

"He was so well liked. He walked out of here on Saturday morning happy and laughing. That was the last I saw of him."

Mrs Bessant said her son had had "problems" in the past but was "getting on his feet."

She said he was with friends when "he collapsed and they thought he was sleeping so they left him on his own. They found him 12pm on Sunday".

She said: "The police called me at 12.45pm and picked me up. But he had already died, God love him. I am not blaming anybody."

Mr Bessant's funeral is being held on Monday. There will be a service at St Teilo's Church in Alway at 10am followed by burial at Christchurch Cemetery.

"His friends are walking in front of the hearse to give him a good send- off," said Mrs Bessant.

"A lot of people in Alway are grieving for him. They all went to school with him. "It is going to be hard. I just want him to be in peace. He did not deserve this. It is going to take a long time to accept but I will have to. I can't understand it all."

Mr Bessant had three brothers and two sisters.

Mrs Bessant said: "He had 15 nieces and nephews. He was a proper uncle."

She said that her son's dog is also missing. "He had Whisky, a Lakeland Terrier for six years. They even slept in the same bedroom."