A 46-YEAR-old man who died after being found injured in Hereford city centre alleged he has been assaulted twice prior to his death, an inquest has heard.

Timothy Bassett, 46, of Quarry Road, Hereford, died at home on April 25 after suffering from breathing difficulties.

Mr Bassett was found lying injured on the street in Hereford city centre on April 22.

The inquest heard how Mr Bassett was found by police outside McDonalds on Commercial Street with a bloody face. He claimed he had been assaulted and has been kicked in the head.

This was the second time Mr Bassett alleged he had been assaulted before his death as he also said he has been attacked on April 6.

He visited hospital in the following days complaining of rib pain, the inquest heard.

A pathology report revealed that there was no positive toxicological cause of Mr Bassett's death and that alcohol was 'almost completely absent' from his system.

The inquest, heard at Herefordshire Coroner's Court on October 15, heard how Mr Basset has recently stopped drinking after living with alcohol dependency.

The pathologist stated how 'severe' liver changes caused by stopping drinking may have contributed to his death, and gave a medical cause as 'complications of long-standing alcohol misuse'.

Coroner Mark Bricknell recorded a narrative conclusion.

He said: "The injuries did not play a part in his death.

"I am satisfied that he died of complications of long-standing alcohol misuse."