THE inquest of a vulnerable man who took a fatal heroin overdose after being beaten up by 'county lines' drug dealers is to take place this month.

Andre Rudkin, aged 40, was found dead in his home in Upper High Street, Taunton, on November 20, 2017, shortly after the attack.

Three men connected with the supply of drugs from London to other parts of the country were jailed at Bristol Crown Court in June for the attack on Mr Rudkin.

Mohammed Nasir, 28, from London, Mark Morris, 44, from Taunton and Lee Wallis, 55, from Ilminster, were sent down after pleading guilty to a joint charge of grievous bodily harm.

Nasir was jailed for three years, Morris was handed two years and 10 months in prison and Wallis received two years.

After the court case, DC Paul Austins, of the Regional Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “This was a cowardly, senseless, unprovoked attack on a man in his own home.

“The assault was connected to county lines drug dealing, and motivated by money.

“This has been a complex and protracted investigation. The police wish to thank everyone who has helped secure this conviction, particularly those witnesses who gave evidence at court.

“We pay tribute to Andre Rudkin’s family, who have been dignified and patient in their support.”

Mr Rudkin's family issued the following statement after the sentencing: “We’d like to thank the police and the detectives for their hard work for managing to find the men that did this to Andre.

“No length of sentencing will bring him back. We miss him dearly and still can’t believe he’s gone from our lives forever.

“We are truly heartbroken and devastated.”

At the time of his death, they described him as having "a heart of gold".

Tony Williams, the senior Coroner for Somerset, will hold the inquest in the Old Municipal Buildings, in Taunton's Corporation Street on Tuesday, September 17.