A MUSICIAN struggling to overcome heroin addiction was found dead in a friend's flat after signing himself out of rehab.

Ricky Iceton died after taking heroin the day after leaving Linwood House Treatment Centre in Barnsley, against medical advice, 11-days after starting a detox programme to tackle his addiction.

The 36-year-old returned to the region on April 28 after making contact with a friend, Lawrence Grieves, who lived on Stanhope Street, Darlington, agreeing to stay there before heading back to his Thornaby home.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Stewart Walker told County Durham and Darlington Coroners Court that the musician and sound engineer was discovered in an unresponsive state by his friend the following morning after they both injected themselves with heroin.

The officer said Mr Iceton had been in a jovial mood when he arrived at Mr Grieves' flat and that there was no evidence that showed he intended to take his own life.

Assistant Coroner Crispin Oliver, recording a verdict of misadventure, said he believed that Mr Iceton had misjudged his dose due to the 11 days he had been in rehab.