Arrest over death of disabled man (From Croydon Guardian)

Arrest over death of disabled man

9:09pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

• Play Video

An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the death David Askew at his home in Hattersley, Greater Manchester Police said.

The 64-year-old man with learning difficulties was "tormented to death" after being bullied by yobs for more than a decade, neighbours had claimed.

Police and authorities were warned that David Askew was being targeted years before he was found dead at his home in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, it emerged.

His mother Rose said Mr Askew was a "true gentleman". She said her son was a "very happy person" who "wouldn't hurt a fly".

Detectives were forced to insist they had done "everything" possible to protect him. One neighbour said Mr Askew's ordeal had been "like bear- baiting".

Mr Askew, who lived with his brother, Brian, and wheelchair-bound mother, Rose, was found dead outside his house after police were told youngsters were causing an "annoyance" at his property.

Gangs - some of whom have anti-social behaviour orders for harassing the victim - had launched a "particular spate" of attacks recently, the officer leading the investigation said.

But Mr Askew's neighbour, Avona Davies, 49, said the torment had been going on far longer. The shop worker said: "This has been going on for about 10 years. We have complained to the police and council and they put cameras in their back garden about three years ago."

Police officers called to the address in Melandra Crescent discovered Mr Askew collapsed outside. He had not been attacked and was pronounced dead at the scene. Results of a post-mortem examination were expected later.