No death charges over tragic David

TWO teenagers arrested following the death of Hattersley man David Askew will not face manslaughter charges.

However, one of them has been charged with harassment and is due for trial in September.

Police were called to Melandra Crescent at 9.30pm on March 10 following reports of youths causing trouble.

When officers arrived there were no teenagers present but Mr Askew was found collapsed. He was later pronounced dead.

The first post-mortem examination proved inconclusive but further reports have now revealed David died as a result of heart failure caused by a long-standing condition of heart disease and undiagnosed oesophageal cancer that would have exacerbated his condition.

Two teenagers, aged 18 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but Greater Manchester Police, following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to proceed.

Det Insp Chris Bridge said: “Further tests have revealed David died as a result of natural causes and following the advice of the Crown Prosecution Service, there is insufficient evidence to pursue prosecutions for manslaughter.

“However, we are continuing to work with local officers and our partner agencies to look at other avenues such as giving anti-social behaviour orders to a number of people who have been involved in incidents involving David.

“This has been an extremely traumatic time for David’s family and we are continuing to provide them with support as they come to terms with losing David.

“We are still pursuing the charge of harassment and because that matter is currently going through the courts I cannot comment any further, other than to stress again that our main focus is to help David’s family following his sad death.”