OXFORDSHIRE coroner Darren Salter yesterday held an inquest, but refused to name the deceased man.

Mr Salter would only identify the man as Christopher H, claiming he was worried about the safety of children connected to the dead man.

The Oxford Mail opposed Mr Salter’s unusual decision, saying he could not hold an inquest in public in which the deceased person was not properly identified.

Mr Salter said: “He has a highly unusual surname and it is my decision not to make public the surname of the individual. He is not anyone well-known, just a normal person, but we have an unusual surname.”

He recorded a verdict of a drug and drink-related death.