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Brother ‘ignored’ over bullying
THE brother of an Olympic hopeful has accused Camden’s housing department of contributing to the clay pigeon shooting champion’s death.
Brian Turner, 56, was brought up in a privileged Surrey home but descended into a lifetime of drug and alcohol dependency after his six-year-old son was killed in a car crash.
He died alone in his West Hampstead kitchen last November. An inquest was postponed last Thursday after his brother Philip Turner, blamed Camden Council for ignoring his brother’s pleas to be moved from a Holborn hostel despite reports he was being bullied by residents.
Mr Turner said: “Brian was subjected to bullying, sexual harassment and had money extorted from him. I was keen to get him out of there. An assessment was done in February, six months went by and none of the recommendations were carried out.”
His fears were backed by Dr Matthew Johnson of Marylebone Practice, who said: “I do think the period in the hostel contributed to his demise. The levels of bullying, intimidation and crime in that hostel are of a level that’s completely unacceptable.”
Privately educated and selected for the Olympic clay pigeon shooting team at 14, Brian Turner was plagued by dyslexia. He was banned from representing England until his grades improved.
Brian Turner married and separated but was sectioned after his mental health began to suffer. He told doctors his life collapsed when his only son Alex was killed by a car.
He turned to heroin, sleeping rough in Camden before being housed in a bedsit in Beedon Court, Kentish Town. Camden Council seized his home after drug dealers took it over as a crack-den. He was placed in Parker Street hostel where he became the victim of bullying, theft and physical abuse.
Mr Turner said: “Because Brian’s vulnerability combined with failures concerning his housing and support, because of his traumatic experiences in temporary accommodation and his drinking, he was unable to adjust to independent living and break out of his dependency.”
The cause of death will be revealed at a hearing at St Pancras Coroner’s Court.
A Camden Council spokesman said: “We suspended proceedings to repossess the flat at Beedon Court but, as relations with Mr Turner’s neighbours had broken down, we did advise him we would proceed with eviction if he returned.
“We offered ongoing support to find suitable accommodation throughout his stay at Parker House, but due to the high demand for social housing in Camden this is a process that can take time.”
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