Mutiny inquest: Coroner's warning after dad '˜played Russian roulette' by taking ecstasy pills

David Horsley said there was a dangerous '˜drugs culture' surrounding festivals, one he felt more and more young people were falling victim to.

He made his comments at the end of a two-day inquest into the death Tommy Cowan.

The 20-year-old, of Havant, died after taking two double-strength ecstasy pills at Mutiny Festival, in Cosham, on May 26.

Tommy, who had a one-year-old son at the time, was the second person to die at the dance event, with Georgia Jones, 18, also of Havant, losing her life after taking two of the same '˜Silver Audi' pills.

Speaking at the end of the inquest at Portsmouth Coroner's Court, Mr Horsley said: '˜Tommy had been through his wild times but he was beginning to mature and settle down.

'˜Sadly he went to the festival and succumbed to temptation. He wasn't a drug addict but it was something he did, as Georgia did, as part of the festival.'

He added: '˜Taking illicit substances is like Russian roulette. And in this case, when Tommy did take a chance all the chambers of the gun were loaded against him.'

Tommy's partner, Jodie Brain, and his mother, Brook Hoar, embraced and wept as the Mr Horsley described the death of their loved one a '˜tragic'.

He added when people take pills, they have no idea what deadly chemicals have been pumped into them or how strong they were.

And he used his speech to slate drugs gangs for their role in producing and selling the narcotics.