Jenny Booth

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A 64-year-old man with learning difficulties was “tormented to death” after being bullied by yobs for more than a decade, neighbours claimed today.

Police had been warned David Askew was being targeted before he was found dead at his home in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, last night, locals said. 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 last 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.