Pat Dollard

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Times Online:

Haunting footage has emerged showing a man with learning difficulties being abused by a group of hoodies – the kind of abuse which neighbours say ultimately led to his death.

David Askew, 64, died of a suspected heart attack on Wednesday after collapsing during a confrontation with youths outside his home near Hyde, in Greater Manchester.

Neighbours said that he had suffered more than a decade of abuse from local youths, who mocked his speech impediment and followed him down the street. One neighbour said that he had been “tormented to death”.

Mobile phone footage taken during a recent confrontation and obtained by ITV News shows how Mr Askew’s tormentors would gather at the fence of the home he shared with a brother and his elderly mother, Rose, 88. The clip shows his mother leaving the house on the Hattersley estate, as if to confront the youths. There is no proof that the youths in the film are the same as those who allegedly tormented Mr Askew when he died.

Mr Askew is said to have spent his days wandering between his home and a nearby shopping precinct.

To residents he was a gentle man, a kind neighbour and protective son, but to generations of unruly teenagers he was “Dopey Dave”, a vulnerable man they took pleasure in provoking into a fury.

He collapsed and died after confronting several shadowy figures in the front garden who were shouting at him. Police were today questioning an18-year-old man arrested last night on suspicion of manslaughter.

One neighbour suggested that “kids” had indulged in “bear-baiting”, in effect tormenting their chosen victim to death, and that the bullying had been going on for much of his life.

Over the years his tormentors, some as young as 8, had thrown eggs at the walls of the house, kicked in the front door, broken windows and demanded cigarettes and money.

Residents have complained that not enough was done to tackle antisocial behaviour but Greater Manchester Police insisted that officers had gone out of their way to develop a personal relationship with the family and to prosecute offenders where possible.

Police installed CCTV cameras outside the house but, neighbours said, yobs knew how to evade them. A protective fence was also constructed around the house. The police responded swiftly to the family’s call that they were, once again, being harassed by yobs.

When officers arrived at 9.40pm the youths had vanished. Mr Askew’s body was found in the garden and he was declared dead at the scene. He is not thought to have been subjected to a physical assault. A post-mortem examination carried out yesterday proved inconclusive police said today. Detectives ordered further tests to be carried out on the body.

Lynne Barker, 47, a neighbour, said that she had heard the sound of jeering and left her house to see “one of two shadowy figures” shouting up at Mr Askew at an upstairs window demanding cigarettes. She said that Mr Askew appeared deeply agitated that the youths had wrecked the gate yet again.

Ms Barker said that he liked to feel he was protecting his mother, who uses a wheelchair.

Mrs Barker said that Mr Askew’s tormentors knew that he could be provoked into a reaction. He would start shouting when confused or agitated.

“They liked to hear him shouting and making a fool of himself,” she said.

Avona Davies, 49, a neighbour, said: “This has been going on for about ten years. They harassed him every night without fail.”

Rose Askew, Mr Askew’s mother, said: “David was a very happy person. He was kind and thoughtful. He was a true gentleman and would often help me around the house and with shopping. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“We have had a lot of issues over the years with kids causing problems. Over the last two years the police have been superb. We have had regular contact with the local beat officers and they often pop by to see how we are doing. They even helped with improving the safety of our home. They have done as much as anyone could do.”

Chief Superintendent Zoe Hamilton said that the police had the names of a number of youths they wanted to speak to. She insisted that police had done everything they could for the Askew family.

At least one Asbo was taken out against a youth aged 17, at present in custody on other matters, relating in part to the Askew family.