A coroner has ruled a rehab clinic made several errors in the lead up to the death of a recovering alcoholic on home leave from the centre.

Paul Crick, from Waltham Abbey, was receiving treatment at Kenward House in Kent when he suffered a cardiac arrest at his mother’s home in South Woodford on May 4, 2014.

The 46-year-old had a blood alcohol concentration of 440mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood at the time of his death, above the threshold considered potentially fatal.

At Walthamstow Coroner’s Court today, (Wednesday, March 30) coroner Nadia Persaud concluded failings at Kenward House had in part led to Mr Crick’s death.

Ms Persaud found the centre had not carried out a risk assessment on the potential for the former City analyst to suffer a relapse when he was first granted the option of weekend leave.

She also ruled Kenward House failed to obtain information on Mr Crick’s history of medical and mental health problems.

The coroner stated the clinic was unaware Mr Crick was due to appear in court on May 6, 2014 in relation to the breach of an ASBO he was issued in 2013.

Mr Crick was handed the order after dialling 999 more than 170 times in 16 months, before subjecting police and paramedics who arrived at his home to verbal abuse.

Ms Persaud ruled, based on evidence provided by Mr Crick’s councillor, attempts would have been made to prevent him going on weekend leave if the clinic had been aware of the upcoming hearing.

She told the inquest: “Kenward House had no power to compel Paul to stay. But, on the evidence I have heard, if he had been encouraged to stay that weekend, I believe he would have done so.

“Had Paul been encouraged to stay at Kenward House over the weekend and had he agreed, it is likely his death would have been prevented.”

Despite shortcomings highlighted by the coroner, it was ruled the actions of the clinic did not constitute gross neglect.

A statement issued by Kenward House read: “Everyone at Kenward who worked with Paul did their very best, along with other agencies, to address his alcohol addiction, but sadly we all failed.

“It is clear now that we did not have the full picture about Paul’s background, medical history and forthcoming court appearance in agreeing he could go home for the weekend.

“We will never know if the missing information would have led to a different outcome.

“We have apologised to his family for any failing on our part and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”