THE exact circumstances of how a young mother, who had ecstasy in her system, was found face down in the sea on the holiday island of Ibiza cannot be determined, a coroner ruled.

Janine Mallett had only been on holiday less than 48 hours when she vanished after going out partying with friend Aimee Owens.

Temporary senior coroner for Teesside, Clare Bailey, quizzed Miss Owens over how her friend had drugs in her system after she had provided conflicting statements to Spanish and British police.

Mother-of-two Mrs Mallett, who had no history of drug taking, was pulled from the water at around 10am on Saturday, July 6, last year after becoming separated from her friend at around 2.30am as they walked along the San Antonio seafront.

Teesside Coroners Court heard the 31-year-old died as a result of drowning - and a sample of her urine revealed traces of cocaine, MDMA , commonly known as ecstasy, amphetamines and methamphetamine.

However, her heartbroken husband Iain told the inquest his wife had never taken drugs before and had never been separated from her family during their eight year relationship.

The 30-year-old electrician, of Clarendon Road, Thornaby, was too upset to read his statement as he struggled to contain his tears throughout the hearing.

In his statement, he described his wife as a devoted mother who never took risks in her life. He was adamant that drug taking was completely out of character for his wife of four years.

“Janine was one of those special people who lit up the room whenever she entered it," he said.

Before she went away she left a note reminding him to look after their children, Jack and Evelyn, before signing it off saying: “I just wanted to tell you how much I love you and I’m going to miss you like crazy.”

Mr Mallett added: “It was an honour and privilege to know Janine. I can only hope that I’m half the person she was and can honour her memory through our children.”

The inquest heard how Miss Owens told Spanish police the pair had shared a couple of ecstasy tablets bought during their night out together but changed her story when interviewed by police when she returned home.

A tearful Miss Owens confirmed her friend had not taken drugs and told the hearing the statement she signed in Ibiza was in Spanish and she was unable to read it.

When asked whether Mrs Mallett had taken any drugs during their holiday, she replied 'no'.

And when told by the Spanish authorities that her friend had traces of cocaine, MDMA, amphetamines and methamphetamine, in her body, she replied: “That really shocked me because at no point did I ever see her buy or take any drugs.”

A further post mortem carried out in the UK concluded Mrs Mallett died as a result of drowning and the effects of MDMA.

Coroner Clare Bailey recorded an open verdict, saying: “In coming to a conclusion, no evidence has been provided for Janine taking the drugs that were found in her blood, also we don’t have any evidence to explain her movements between when she was last with Aimee and when she was found on the beach.”