National News
Man 'tormented to death' by yobs
2:01pm Thursday 11th March 2010
A 64-year-old man with learning difficulties was "tormented to death" after being bullied by yobs for more than a decade, neighbours have claimed.
Police had been warned David Askew was being targeted before he was found dead at his home in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, on Wednesday night, said local residents.
One neighbour said he had been "tormented to death - like bear baiting".
Residents criticised police and officials for not supporting Mr Askew and his brother Brian and mother Rose, who was wheelchair-bound.
Officers were called to the address on Melandra Crescent on Wednesday night after being told yobs were causing an "annoyance".
When they arrived the youths had vanished but officers discovered the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
As news of his death spread, neighbours told how Mr Askew had been the victim of a campaign of harassment.
Avona Davies, 49, said: "This has been going on for about 10 years. We have complained to the police and council and they put cameras in their back garden about three years ago.
"They tormented David for money and cigarettes. They harassed him every night without fail."
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