DJ died from drugs after gay bondage

1:18pm Tuesday 3rd June 2008

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Kevin Greening, the popular Radio One DJ, died after taking a cocktail of cocaine, ecstasy and GHB, which was followed by a bondage sex session involving a sling, mask, gaffer tape and cling film, an inquest heard today.

Mr Greening's boyfriend, Sean Griffin, of Battersea Church Road, broke down briefly as he gave evidence of the events leading up to his partner's death on Saturday, December 29 last year.

"We had an active and loving relationship. Sexually it was perhaps a relationship that would not be regarded as normal but it was vigorous and imaginative and we enjoyed each other very much."

Sean Griffin, Mr Greening's boyfriend

At Westminster Coroner's Court he twice reiterated the pair had a loving relationship and said drug taking and sexual games were not unusual.

Mr Griffin, a civil servant, said: "We had done this on previous occasions, we had an active and loving relationship. Sexually it was perhaps a relationship that would not be regarded as normal but it was vigorous and imaginative and we enjoyed each other very much. But it was a catastrophic night."

The coroner, Dr Paul Knapman said: "I regret it is necessary to hear evidence of behaviour many in life find unusual and deviant.

"But nevertheless it does seem that this death occurred by consenting adults in private."

Mr Greening, who was 44 when he died, had taken cocaine at Mr Griffin's home before the pair went to a gay night being hosted at Southwark nightclub, The Arches.

Once in the club the pair changed into kinky leather gear and Mr Greening had half an ecstasy tablet, Mr Griffin told the court.

The pair arrived home about 5am and after sleeping and taking more drugs the pair embarked on a bondage session.

Mr Griffin described to the court how chains attached to scaffolding erected around his bed were used to secure Mr Greening in a sling during the session, but he denied suggestions that Mr Greening was ever held upside down.

Dr Knapman described photos of Mr Griffin's bedroom, which showed masks, leather boots and straps, cuffs and gaffer tape, all used in the session.

When Mr Griffin noticed his partner appeared to be tired he let him down from the sling, but wasn't concerned about his health.

The pair then went to sleep.

Mr Griffin - who was originally arrested for murder but is only facing a police caution for intending to supply class A and C drugs - woke to find his partner "pallid".

He said: "I dragged him into the living room where the lights are better to see if there was any movement in his chest."

Police and ambulance crew found Mr Greening in the living room when they arrived.

The court heard how Mr Greening, who lived in Highbury and worked on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show in 1997, was a bright, witty young man who took his A-levels a year early and gained a masters degree in chemistry at Cambridge.

But radio presenting was his love - he even told a school teacher he would be a presenter - and he hit the peak of his career at Radio One.

It was after that his life went down hill. He split from his partner of 17 years, Andy Lowe, who he often referred to as his "lesbian life partner" on air, and struggled to hold down a regular presenting job.

But he appeared to have found joy again at home and work after meeting Mr Griffin two years ago and had a slot presenting on Smooth Radio.

Recording a verdict of misadventure and death from mixed drug toxicity, Dr Knapman said Mr Greening was: "Found dead having indulged in unorthodox sexual behaviour involving restraining equipment and illegal drugs.

"I say this is a case of misadventure. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends."