A man with learning disabilities who was bullied for 30 years was unlawfully killed, an inquest has ruled.
David Askew, 64, was found dead outside his house in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, in March 2010. He had suffered heart failure. However, the pathologist said that a confrontation Askew had had with youths 10 minutes before his collapse had been a factor in his death.
South Manchester coroner John Pollard ruled Askew was unlawfully killed. The coroner went on to criticise the local police, council and housing associations for a “staggering degree of inertia and complacency” in dealing with the anti-social behaviour towards Askew. Earlier this year, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) heavily criticised Greater Manchester Police (GMP) over how the service dealt with the anti-social behaviour experienced by David Askew and his family over several years.
In addition, the Manchester Evening News reported that GMP’s Major Investigation Team is to review the evidence from the original case and the inquest and consider whether to reopen a criminal investigation.
