Inquest after teenager starved to death at his home in Leeds

West Yorkshire Police supplied photograph of Jordan Burling taken six weeks before his death.

Wakefield Coroner’s Court was told that three members of Jordan Burling’s family had faced criminal charges in connection with his death.

Area Coroner Jonathan Leach adjourned the inquest under schedule one of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 after the court heard the three family members had been jailed earlier this month.

There is no requirement for the coroner to resume the inquest following the criminal case.

Abigail Burling and Dawn Cranston are pictured (top left).
Denise Cranston is pictured (bottom left) and Jordan Burling is pictured (right). — Abigail Burling and Dawn Cranston are pictured (top left). Denise Cranston is pictured (bottom left) and Jordan Burling is pictured (right).

Leeds Crown Court heard Jordan was “skin and bone” and weighed less than six stones when paramedics found him lying on a filthy inflatable mattress, covered in pressure sores at his family home on Butterbowl Garth, Farnley, in June 2016.

His mother Dawn Cranston, 45, was sentenced to four years and grandmother Denise Cranston, 70, was given three years after the pair were convicted of manslaughter after a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

Jordan’s sister, Abigail Burling, 25, was cleared of manslaughter but found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable adult.

She was given an 18-month sentence.

Leeds Crown Court was told Jordan died as a result of malnutrition, immobility and infection-riddled sores.

Jurors were told his body was likened to those of prisoners held in Second World War extermination camps.