Combination of drugs caused prisoner's death, inquest hears

The death of an Island prisoner was due to a combination of three drugs, an inquest has heard today.

The court heard evidence from pathology and toxicology experts who agreed the medical cause of death was drug toxicity.

They confirmed it was the combination of diazepam, dihydrocodeine and methadone that cause central nervous system depression in Michael Davidson on March 13, 2012.

The drugs were prescribed throughout the 26-year-old's time in police custody, and later in Jurby prison.

Expert evidence today said the drugs had an additive effect on one another, and the combination - even at therapeutic levels - was toxic.

The inquest will begin its third week on Monday morning.