'Free spirit' died after canoe he stole capsized

A man described by his family as a "mischievous free spirit" died after a canoe he had stolen capsized, an inquest has heard.

Leon Peter Vernon-White, 24, from Gloucestershire, drowned in the River Teifi, Cardigan, Ceredigion after travelling from Tewkesbury with two friends and his dog to visit his mother on 6 June 2024.

Dyfed Powys Police were made aware of the incident at 19:42 BST on Thursday 6 June and the inquest heard Mr Vernon-White's body was recovered at about 01:00 on Friday 7 June.

The coroner concluded Mr Vernon-White died of drowning, but said alcohol and cannabis in his system "didn't improve his chance".