Hairdresser David Palin, 45, who was renowned on the London fashion scene, died after drowning in a stream while high on crystal meth, inquest told

A top fashion hairdresser drowned in a stream after breaking into a zoo wearing rubber bondage gear while high on crystal meth, an inquest has heard.

David Palin, who was renowned on the London fashion scene, was staying at a friend's farmhouse in Staffordshire when he wandered off in the middle of the night and broke into the nature sanctuary.

The 45-year-old, who was wearing just a rubber vest and pants despite the freezing January temperatures, then fell into a fast-flowing stream.

Mr Palin's body was later found at Blackbrook Zoological Park, amid smashed glass and trails of blood, following a three-day police hunt.

After his death, tributes poured in from around the fashion world, with designer Serena Bute describing him as 'Pure Heaven'. Hairdresser Josh Wood said he would 'remember his humour and his loving kind soul.'

At an inquest into his death, pathologist said Mr Palin had drowned, but that his state of dress and the presence of drugs might have led to him contracting hypothermia.

Dr Nicholas Hunt said: 'The presence of drugs may be highly relevant given the bad weather conditions and his state of dress.

'I can't rule out a degree of hypothermia which could have caused confusion.'

The inquest heard how Mr Palin had enjoyed a successful career having moved to London from his home in Crewe, Cheshire, as a teenager.

But the hearing heard how his mental health had deteriorated because of his drug use and that he had suffered from psychotic episodes after taking crystal meth. He had also been to rehab for drink and drug issues, the coroner heard.

The inquest heard how, on the night before he died, the hair stylist had gone to visit his friend Steven Gee before leaving for the U.S for work.

Describing his arrival at his house in Bottomhouse, Mr Gee said he seemed 'edgy'.

'He was moving around quite quickly and could not look you in the eye,' he told the hearing.

The hair stylist was staying at a friend's farmhouse in Staffordshire when he wandered off in the middle of the night and broke into a nearby nature sanctuary. His body was found three days later

After his death, tributes poured in from around the fashion world, with designer Serena Bute describing him as 'Pure Heaven'. Hairdresser Josh Wood said he would 'remember his humour and his loving kind soul'

'My friend said: "Is he on something?". He went upstairs and when he came down he was wearing fetish clothing - a rubber T-shirt and shorts.'

Mr Gee said they had gone to bed around 2am. But when he woke up to get himself a drink at 4.30am, Mr Palin had gone. He had left his coat, phone and wallet behind, the hearing heard.

By that time, Mr Palin's mother had already reported him missing because she had been unable to reach him.

DC Marc Proctor, from Staffordshire Police, told the hearing that the park had been broken into the night Mr Palin went missing.

'Glass had been smashed and traces of blood were in an around the sanctuary as if someone had walked around,' he said.

At an inquest into his death, a pathologist said Mr Palin had drowned at Blackbrook Zoological Park, but that his state of dress and the presence of drugs might have led to him contracting hypothermia

'Tables were broken. The damage would be consistent with someone that had some kind of delirium. Nothing was taken.'

A police search of the area was launched, but Mr Palin's body was not found until February 1.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Palin drowned. He had injuries caused by broken glass from the break-in, and other injuries consistent with being carried along by the steam.

Tests showed that he had several illegal drugs in his system.

Ian Smith, coroner for Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire, recorded a conclusion of accidental death.