Force failed family of vulnerable man targeted by estate yobs

A vulnerable man who died after suffering years of torment by yobs was partly failed by senior police along with a string of other organisations, watchdogs ruled.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report said local police officers were dedicated in dealing with the problems of David Askew, 64, and his family, showing “real concern” and working when off duty to help tackle those responsible.

But the report into Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) overall handling of the problem identified “higher level systemic failures” within the force.

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Mr Askew, who had learning difficulties, his brother and elderly mother, Rose, were plagued for years by yobs on the sprawling council estate in Hattersley, Tameside.

They had called police 88 times between January 2004 and March 2010, the IPCC report said.

Mr Askew, 64, collapsed and died on March 10 last year after an incident when youths had reportedly thrown a wheelie bin around and tampered with his mother’s mobility scooter.

The local authority, Tameside Council, local NHS services and the Contour Housing Trust, owners of the Askew family home, all came in for criticism, with all taking the “easier route” in regarding Mr Askew as “part of the problem” rather than tackling the perpetrators, the IPCC report said.

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In September last year Kial Cottingham, 19, who lived doors away from the Askew family, pleaded guilty to harassing Mr Askew.

He was ordered to serve 16 weeks in a Young Offenders Institution.

Cottingham was questioned on suspicion of manslaughter but was cleared. Mr Askew was found to have died of natural causes.

IPCC Commissioner Naseem Malik said: “The Askew family had experienced years of torment at the hands of local youths who targeted David in particular.

“They were left with a sticking-plaster solution when the matter needed extensive surgery.”