A MAN found in a North-East alley died as a result of head injuries, alcohol intoxication and hypothermia.

The body of 37-year-old Polish man Michal Jarzynka was discovered near Poplar Street, in Chester-le-Street, in the early hours of Monday, November 28, last year.

At the opening of the inquest at Crook Civic Centre yesterday, County Durham and Darlington coroner Andrew Tweddle was told a postmortem revealed the cause of his death.

It is believed he was injured in a fall.

Police launched an investigation, cordoned off the area and spoke to residents. Enquiries are said to be ongoing.

In a statement at the time, a spokesman for Durham Police said: “The death of a man whose body was found in Chester-le-Street is being treated as non-suspicious.

“Following the results of a post-mortem examination and police enquiries, the death is known not to be suspicious and the circumstances surrounding the death are linked to a fall.”

The inquest was adjourned until Monday, April 3.