A NEWPORT man found dead in police custody took several overdoses before his death and his family were concerned about his mental health, an inquest heard yesterday.

Family of Andrew David Sheppard, 22, visited St Cadoc’s Hospital the day before he died to find out how they could get him sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Gwent Coroner’s Court, sitting in Newport, heard a statement from home treatment worker Paul Hanna who said the family were “visibly distressed” when they came to the hospital.

Mr Hanna said Mr Sheppard’s mother, Alison Sheppard, said she was concerned about her son and his mental state worried her, so he explained the options to having someone detained under the act, including calling the police.

The inquest also heard a statement from Dr Jane Gwilliam, a consultant in the accident and emergency department of the Royal Gwent Hospital.

This recounted Mr Sheppard’s admissions in the months leading up to his death and revealed between February 18, 2006, and September 30, 2006, he admitted himself into the unit seven times, six of which were for overdoses of drugs including valium and diazepam.

Paul Bowen, representing the Sheppard family said on the morning of September 30, Mr Sheppard had said: “I’m going to get valium and do a proper job this time.”

Melanie Windle, the partner of Mr Sheppard’s brother Craig, told the inquest Mr Sheppard was reluctant to seek help for his mental health problems as he was worried his friends would “take the mickey”.

Mr Sheppard, of Bristol Street, was found unconscious in his cell at Newport Central police station at 10.39am on October 1, 2006.

He was pronounced dead at the Royal Gwent Hospital an hour later.

He was arrested the night before after behaving irrationally and showing signs of paranoia after taking a number of drugs, thought to have included cocaine and valium.

The father of one was given a body search and put in an observation cell, which had constant CCTV coverage. He left his cell once through the night to use the toilet and was found unconscious the next morning, the court heard.

Proceeding.