A MAN was found unconscious on Brighton Beach after taking the party drug GHB.

Michael Burton, 37, who was well known on the gay scene in Brighton, had been trying to turn his life around but relapsed.

Mr Burton, also known as Mouse, was found unconscious lying against a plinth on the seafront, near Brighton Palace Pier, around 9am on December 11 2016.

The former Charles Street barman later died at Royal Sussex County Hospital.

An inquest heard paramedics tried to resuscitate Mr Burton, who worked as a bespoke lampshade maker. He was transferred to accident and emergency but he died at 10.43am.

Speaking at Brighton and Hove Coroner’s Court, pathologist Dr David Wright said Mr Burton had a near fatal amount of GHB or GBL in his blood when he died.

Drugs GHB and GBL both produce a feeling of euphoria, and are known in the gay community as chems used during sex parties and clubbing.

The inquest heard the toxicology report could not determine which one Mr Burton took, as GBL is converted to GHB shortly after entering the body.

His post mortem also revealed he was suffering from hypothermia at the time of death.

The inquest heard Mr Burton, who moved to Brighton from Farnborough in 2001, developed a dependency on crystal methamphetamine, GHB, GBL and other drugs.

His life spiralled when he lost his job in January 2016.

In August of the same year he lost his flat and in October he was admitted to hospital for GBL overdoses.

It all culminated in Mr Burton being sectioned under the mental health act at Mill View Hospital in November, after a psychotic episode due to effects of the drugs.

Luke Holleran, a friend of 15 years, told the inquest: “We drifted apart when he started getting into heavier drugs, and I had very little contact, until I went to work on intensive care unit and he was an inpatient.

“He expressed he wanted to get to rehab but didn’t have the financial ability.

“He lost everything because of drugs.”

Following an assessment psychiatrists deemed he didn’t need to stay at Mill View.

He was working with the mental health teams and contacted drug and alcohol service Pavilions for help.

The inquest heard he was looking forward to leaving hostel accommodation and finding a flat.

But Mr Burton relapsed before his death in December.

Dr Karen Henderson. assistant coroner for Brighton and Hove, ruled he died due to GHB or GBL toxicity and recorded his death as drug-related misadventure.

Speaking outside the court his mother, Mandy Burton, paid tribute to her only son who she described as being very creative.

She said: “He was highly intelligent and charismatic person, and he loved to write poetry.

“He had a difficult time at school because he was dyslexic and gay.

“But he moved to Brighton in 2001 and was very happy here.

“He had a big group of friends in Brighton and we had over 250 people at his funeral.

“A lot of those had come from Brighton as well as from all over the world.”


MEMORIAL BENCH

FRIENDS attend Michael’s funeral in huge numbers.

Aaron Lawrence grew up with him in Farnborough and moved to Brighton in 2001 with him.

He said: “We moved down together and he was big on the scene.

"He made friends very quickly.

"A lot of people said he made people feel very welcome and he was that kind of loving person who was really nice.

"It really hit the scene really hard when he died and everyone came together to raise money for a bench.”

The bench in New Steine Gardens, Brighton, will be dedicated to Michael at a gathering of family and friends on Sunday at 2.30pm.