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Kelvin Hewitt - the victim of the A66 penis-cutting assault which sparked a major police investigation last year - died as a result of misadventure, an inquest has ruled .

The 41-year-old was found dead at King George’s Terrace in South Bank at about 8.45am on Thursday May 7

An inquest at Teesside Coroner’s Court heard that before his death, Kelly had covered himself in blue paint.

The hearing was told by a pathologist that there was evidence of “auto-erotic” activity, before Mr Hewitt’s death of asphyxiation.

A major police investigation was launched last March after Mr Hewitt was found in a “distressed state” at the side of the A66 at South Bank.

The dual carriageway was closed as police began searching the scene as it emerged that the victim had had his penis cut off.

The then 40-year-old - known as Kelly - was initially put into an induced coma.

He was ultimately released from Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital just over two weeks later.

A man who was arrested on suspicion of assault was later released without charge.

In July last year the Gazette revealed that police had closed their investigation into the matter.

Summing up her judgement at Teesside Coroner's Court today, Coroner Clare Bailey, said Mr Hewitt was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of his death.

The cause was asphyxiation.

"I am satisfied he passed as a result of misadventure - he didn't intend the fatal consequences," she added.

"Kelly loved his family dearly and could be a very happy gentleman," added Ms Bailey.

"We don't have any evidence he wanted to take his own life.

"It was the opinion of police and the pathologist this may have been an act of some sort of erotic behaviour.

"Furthermore, Kelly had made himself secure in his caravan.

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"He was complicit in the use of alcohol and and drugs - however I don't believe he intended to take his own life."

Speaking after Mr Hewitt’s death a former colleague tribute to his friend earlier this year.

“He was always really good with his kids,” the man told The Gazette.

“There will be a lot of people at his funeral, he was a really popular bloke.

“I think everybody will be gutted in the community because he was a good lad.”

Police first became aware of the attack on construction worker Mr Hewitt in March last year when they were called to reports of a man in a “distressed state” by the side of the A66 at South Bank.

More to follow