A MAN who crashed out at a friend's house after they had both been to a party was found dead by the friend the following day.

Blackburn magistrates heard the man had died as a result of a drug overdose and police called to the scene by Michael Canning found he had a quantity of diazepam tablets in his possession.

But the court was told the police had investigated the situation thoroughly and there was no suspicion that Canning had given his friend the drugs.

Canning, 51, of Ivy Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to possession of diazepam and abstracting electricity between 2016 and 2020.

He was fined £40 with £85 costs and £32 victim surcharge.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said the police were alerted to a sudden death at the defendant's home when he called them.

"When the police investigated the death they found the defendant in possession of 14 diazepam tablets and that the electricity meter had been bypassed," said Mr Robinson.

"The defendant said it was already bypassed when he moved in and he had simply turned a blind eye to the fact he wasn't paying for his electricity."

Richard Prew, defending, said after attending a party the night before the two men had gone back to his client's house to crash out.

"My client found him dead the following day as a result of a drug overdose," said Mr Prew.

"My client was completely exonerated of any involvement in that."

Mr Prew said Canning had lived in the house for four years and the meter was bypassed when he moved in.

"He didn't want to tamper with it but accepts he should have contacted the electricity company," said Mr Prew.

"My instructions are that he has spoken to them and he is now up to date with them."