The brother of former Falmouth taxi driver Charlie Dobson, who died of a heart attack during a fire at his Retanna home, has said he is confident cannabis found in his bloodstream did not contribute to his death.

During the inquest Jeremy Dobson said traces of the drug found in his brother Charlie’s system were the result of New Year celebrations the previous night, and would not still have been effective by 12.30pm the next day when the heart attack occurred.

Speaking after the inquest, he said: “I am confident cannabis didn’t have anything to do with this in any way.”

While it was reported that the inquest was attended by a close friend, Alicia Hodges, the friend was in fact Joan Eastgate. Mrs Hodges is the sister of Charlie Dobson who lives in America and was unable to attend.