Former shopkeeper, 47, found dead in Stoke-on-Trent flat after taking monkey dust

A former shopkeeper who ‘lost everything’ to drink and drugs was found dead after taking monkey dust.

Huseyin Kara was still sitting on the sofa, looking as if he was simply asleep, when the emergency services arrived at his high-rise flat.

But the 47-year-old had already died and there was evidence of drugs paraphernalia in the untidy apartment at Union Street, Hanley.

Police had to use torches to view the scene as the electricity was not working. They had been alerted after an ‘acquaintance’ of Mr Kara had called 999 to report that he seemed to be seriously ill.

An inquest heard how the father-of-two had moved to Britain from his native Turkey and had gone on to run a convenience store in Trentham. But in 2011, his business and his marriage fell apart on the back of alcohol and drug problems.

He later moved into the Forest Court flat following a spell at a Salvation Army shelter. Mr Kara had been released from prison just days before his death.

His sister Ayse Kara said she had gone round to the flat on December 15, but got no reply. She returned the following day, again to no avail.

Latest cases from the courts in North Staffordshire

Then on December 19, she and her husband went round and a strange voice answered when they pressed the buzzer. The person would not respond to their questions and they became so concerned that they contacted the police. In a statement, Ms Kara said: “We were advised that it was up to him if he wanted to open the door to us.”

His body was later found on December 21 and toxicology tests revealed he had taken MDPHP – the psychoactive drug commonly known as monkey dust.

His son Ahmet Kara said the family had tried to help him over the years and had been assured he was trying to ‘get better’.

“Numerous times, I was trying to get him back on his feet,” Ahmet added. “He cared too much about others and so little about himself.”

Mr Kara had been taken to A&E by ambulance after being found in an alleyway on December 15. He is thought to have consumed either the drug Mamba or alcohol as both substances were found at the scene. But he refused treatment at hospital and discharged himself.

PC Neil Saunt arrived at the flat following Mr Kara’s death. He told the inquest: “There were used needles dotted about the place. A can had also been fashioned into a pipe.”