Press Association
Saturday 11th February 2012
Police have been quizzing a teenager arrested over the manslaughter of a man who was "tormented to death" by yobs.
David Askew, 64, who had learning difficulties, was found dead outside his home in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, on Wednesday night.
Officers were called to his Melandra Crescent address after reports that youngsters were causing an "annoyance" at the property.
They found Mr Askew, who lived with his brother, Brian, and wheelchair-bound mother, Rose, collapsed outside and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An 18-year-old man was arrested on Thursday night in connection with his death, said Greater Manchester Police.
It emerged that the authorities were warned years ago that he was being targeted by gangs. One neighbour said Mr Askew had been "tormented to death - like bear-baiting".
Earlier, his mother, Rose, paid tribute to her son, saying: "I just want to say that 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 and he never saw bad in anyone.
Mr Askew's neighbour, Avona Davies, 49, said youngsters had been harassing him for a decade. The shop worker 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."
But detectives insisted they had done "everything" possible to protect Mr Askew. Ch Supt Zoe Hamilton, of Greater Manchester Police, said some of the yobs were give anti-social behaviour orders for harassing the victim. She added: "I would like to make clear we don't believe David's death was the result of a physical attack and we would urge anyone who might have been involved in the incident before or any members of the community who know what happened and who was involved to come forward please."
Due to previous police contact with the family, the force voluntarily made a referral to the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, said a spokesman.
