An Oulton Broad mother speaks out about drug addiction after her son died of an overdose in Lowestoft last year.

Oliver Mingay, who grew up in Oulton Broad, was killed by a combination of pneumonia and a drug overdose in his girlfriend's Lowestoft flat on September 10, just six days after he was released from prison.

According to his mother, Nicola Mingay, her son had 'mental health issues and would turn to drugs to fight his demons.'

'He had ADHD and schizophrenia, he often said to me that he had heard voices,' the 45-year-old said.

'He would take crack and cocaine, as well as cannabis. In June, I had met with him to give him food - because I obviously I wasn't going to let him go hungry.

'I met with him and he said he felt guilty, he said 'I smoked some brown' which is heroin.

'He said 'mum is was horrible - all it did was make me feel itchy - I won't do it again'.'

She trusted her son would steer clear of the drug, 'he had enough problems. He didn't need any more,' she said.

When the opioid was found in his system after recieving the coroner's report, the mother said her heart sunk into her stomach.

An inquest into the death of the 21-year-old said he was at home smoking heroin on the evening prior to his death.

Mr Mingay's girlfriend woke first to find him grey - but assumed he was breathing a recovering from the drug use. However, when she woke again she found he had turned cold and blue.

Mrs Mingay, who lovingly refers to her son as Olly , said her son loved fishing,rap music and had a 'heart of gold and would give anything to anyone.'

'I am not saying he was an angel, he rubbed people up the wrong way in his later teens, but he would help out when he could.

'Oh god, he was a sweetheart. His smile - I will always remember his smile. I love him to bits and I wish he was back.'