A STROUD woman with a serious drink problem died after tripping over a kerb and banging her head, an inquest was told yesterday.

Justine Randall, 46, of Jack Russell Close, Stroud, had been taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital only the previous day after paramedics found her wandering up and down the middle of Paganhill Road while drunk, Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court heard.

She then discharged herself from hospital, went home after buying alcohol on the way, and then tripped and suffered the fatal head injury the next day.

She was found lying in the road by police.

Detective Sergeant Mark Stenhouse said it was on May 19 last year in Cainscross road that she was found after her fall.

“She regained consciousness and told police who found her in the early hours of the morning that she had tripped over a kerb and hit her head," he said.

“She was taken to Gloucester hospital with catastrophic brain injuries.”

The inquest then heard that she had discharged herself from hospital only the day before and took a taxi home at around 1am.

“She was seen on CCTV buying four cans of Thatchers Gold cider from a Stroud petrol station,” said the officer.

The inquest heard that Ms Randall was known to the police for domestic abuse issues, drug and drink abuse problems.

Senior Coroner for the county Katy Skerrett said: “Medical evidence shows alcohol dependence and epilepsy. She started to engage with Change, Grow and Live but missed appointments.

Ms Randall died from a subdural haematoma (a brain bleed) on May 20.

The coroner concluded that it was an accidental death.