Youth locked up for harassing man who collapsed and died

A teenager who persistently harassed a 64-year-old man with severe learning difficulties up to the day of his death has been ordered to serve 16 weeks in a Young Offenders Institution.

David Askew collapsed after confronting youths in his garden in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, in March this year and died shortly after.

Officers were called after reports that youngsters were causing a disturbance at the house he shared with his brother Brian – who also suffers learning difficulties – and wheelchair-bound 89-year-old mother Rose.

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Kial Cottingham, 19, who lived doors away from the family, yesterday pleaded guilty to harassing Mr Askew for cigarettes over a three-month period.

He initially pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He gave a television interview the day after Mr Askew's death in which he claimed he was "shocked" about the incident and said he would often step in to deter other local youths from constantly haranguing him.

Cottingham was also questioned on suspicion of manslaughter but was cleared of any involvement in Mr Askew's death.

Mr Askew was later found to have died of natural causes.

Following his death it emerged that he and his family had been subjected to prolonged anti-social behaviour and harassment for a number of years.

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The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating Greater Manchester Police's handling of the previous incidents.

Appearing before Tameside magistrates, Cottingham admitted using intimidating, threatening and aggressive behaviour in order to get cigarettes from Mr Askew who was referred to by local youths as "Dopey Dave".

An original charge that he also demanded money between the same dates of January 25 and March 10 was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Vanessa Thomson, prosecuting, said the Askew family were a "close-knit unit who all looked after each other". She said Mr Askew was a quiet man who had problems which prevented him from engaging in any form of intelligent conversation.

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"It was because of his difficulties he became a target of anti-social behaviour in the area," she said. "He was referred to as 'Dopey Dave', he was deemed simple and he would bite the back of his hand when he became upset and agitated.

"He was seen as a soft touch by youths who targeted him. They would shout up to his bedroom and he would throw money or cigarettes down to get rid of them.

"Children would also throw stones at the window.

"At the beginning of the year, Kial Cottingham joined in."

Mr Askew's mother Rose said: "I miss David every minute of every day. He was a lovely lad and he was always with me. I really miss him. I did not know how well loved he was until after he died. He had been put through hell over the years.".

She added: "I would like to thank the police for how they have treated me, not just before David died but also after. I cannot speak too highly of them."

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At the time of his death, a neighbour said Mr Askew had been "tormented to death – like bear-baiting".

Yesterday Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said the force had made it an absolute priority to reduce anti-social behaviour.

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