A proud family has paid a moving tribute to a young man who coped with the trauma of losing his sight but always remained haunted by the shame of being caught drink driving.

Adrian Dawson, 27, who everyone knew as Ady, was found dead at his home in Ferndown at the end of February.

It was in 1999 that Ady was caught driving above the legal alcohol limit.

His family says he was so ashamed and afraid of ending up in prison that the following day he overdosed on Paracetamol.

In the end no charge of drink driving was ever brought against him.

Andy spent eight months in hospital, recovering from a partial liver transplant but he lost his sight and contracted MRSA.

His father Roger said: "He was a real battler in adversity and it was a real slog for him especially when he first came out of hospital.

"He did tremendously to recover from the overdose and dealt so well with his blindness.

"Ady achieved so much - he went to college and studied music production, Braille, and computer skills and he became a volunteer for the Scouts in Verwood.

"He was given a lot of support from Guide Dogs for the Blind - his guide dog Kerby was his best friend. By 2007 Ady had completely regained his independence and seemed happier."

Mum Carol added: "Everyone really rallied around him, especially family and his many friends. The fact that there were 250 people at his funeral speaks for itself."

Ady played football and supported Southampton FC. He was also passionate about drum and bass music and played in Bournemouth's pubs and clubs under the name DJ Blindin, said his sister Victoria.

He began to suffer from anxiety again a year ago and Roger found his son dead at home on February 26. His funeral was held last week. Donations are being made to Guide Dogs for the Blind through funeral directors AE Jolliffe & Son.