Chief Constable Michael ToddThe police chief found dead on Snowdon on Tuesday probably had double the legal drink-driving amount of alcohol in his body, a consultant pathologist said.

Chief Constable Michael Todd

Dr Anthony Caslin told an inquest today that Chief Constable Michael Todd’s blood-alcohol level was 105 mg per 100ml at the time of his death. But he said it would probably have been about 150 to 160 mg several hours prior to his death. The legal driving limit is 80mg.

Dr Caslin also told coroner Dewi Pritchard-Jones: “There is no evidence that this man has fallen from a height and sustained any significant injury.”

Dr Caslin, who examined the police chief’s body at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, said Mr Todd had superficial cuts to his left shin, right hand and his face.

It was revealed at the hearing at Anglesey Council Chamber that Mr Todd was declared dead on the slopes of Snowdon about 7.30pm on Tuesday. Urine samples were taken from his body.

Refuting claims that the police officer was half-naked when he was found, Mr Pritchard-Jones said he was wearing waterproof trousers, a microfleece and a thermal top. He had on no waterproof.

Dr Caslin told the inquest that he would withhold his decision on the cause of death until more detailed toxicology reports had been completed.

Mr Pritchard-Jones took the unusual step of making public the preliminary post-mortem examination findings because of the large amount of speculation and misreporting which had followed the chief constable’s death. Normally, inquests are opened and immediately adjourned once identification evidence is heard.

Earlier today, Mr Todd’s widow Carolyn paid tribute to her late husband. She said: “Michael was a caring and loving father and husband. He was immensely proud of his kids.

“He worked away from home on the second most important thing in his life: his job, returning to us at the weekend and for family holidays. The family recently returned from a holiday in Jamaica.

“I loved Michael very much and the last time I spoke to him he told me he loved me too. We have been married for 27 years and eight months.

“The whole family is struggling to come to terms with his death and we would ask the media to leave us to grieve in peace.

Mr Todd also leaves three children, daughter Catherine, 16, and twin sons, David and Matthew who are 13.