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Why didn’t they help natasha?
Woman’s death after being allowed to walk out of care home
A VULNERABLE woman with the mental age of a child was found dead after being allowed to walk out of her sheltered home to move in with a drug addict twice her age.
None of Natasha Hilton’s relatives was told she had left her supported flat in Rock Street, Finsbury Park, managed by a private care firm.
The 31-year-old, a schizophrenia sufferer described by one of her sisters as “a child in every sense”, was supposed to be monitored as someone at the highest possible risk of sexual exploitation.
Her family criticised her care as a coroner ruled that he could only pass an ‘open’ verdict at the inquest into her death.
The block is run by Precious Homes Limited, whose most recently filed accounts posted profits of around £4.6 million.
Mitesh Dhanak, 39, the company’s director, was at St Pancras Court on Monday although he did not give evidence himself.
He said that his firm had co-operated with a police investigation and enquiries from coroner Dr Andrew Reid.
Ms Hilton died in July 2006 from a heroin and cocaine overdose, shortly after leaving her flat with retired Jamaican police officer Boston Bailey, 65.
The Rock Street block where Miss Hilton lived consists of 16 flats, staff office and a communal lounge. Precious Homes Limited also run five properties in neighbouring Haringey, ranging from a maisonette to a blocks of nine individual flats.
It also has a specialist two bedroom flat in Wembley.
Staff at Rock Street described Mr Bailey as a “nice enough guy” after he left his contact details with them voluntarily, the inquest heard.
It was only when she did not return for her medication that they began to worry.
Beverley Hilton, her sister, told the court: “When Natasha didn’t come back for her medication, which she must have needed for a reason, it should have been flagged up.”
Manager Jennifer Weddenban told the staff to wait until morning before contacting the police. She told the court she didn’t call Miss Hilton’s sisters because Miss Hilton had asked her not to, adding: “It’s supported housing. It’s not a secure unit. I made a judgment call knowing Natasha and based on my experience.”
Miss Hilton, who had only ever missed taking her medication once during her two-year stay with Precious Homes, was found unconscious by ambulance staff on Mr Bailey’s bed at his house in Quill Street in just her underwear.
Mr Bailey took to the witness stand, but was unable to give clear evidence.
Dr Reid said: “Despite a lengthy investigation the one key witness [Mr Bailey] to the final hours of Miss Hilton’s life, has not given a reliable or credible account of what they were doing. Clearly the conduct and motives must be questioned but it’s not for me to determine criminal liability. I can only reach an open verdict that the evidence doesn’t fully disclose the means by which Natasha Hilton died.”
Speaking outside the court, the Hilton family, from Blackstock Road in Finsbury Park, criticised detectives for not searching Mr Bailey’s road for drug paraphernalia. Beverley Hilton, who lodged a complaint with the Independent Police Complaints Commission, said: “They just thought ‘Ah, a drug addict’.”
Detective Paul Healey of Islington police said: “There was no evidence of a criminal offence that would stand up in court.”
Dr Reid ruled that Ms Hilton was not a drug addict.
Beverley Hilton said afterwards: “I’m relieved my sister’s good character has come out. She was not a drug addict. She was a vulnerable person with learning difficulties and mental health problems.”
Memories posted on a tribute website by Miss Hilton’s friends and family recalled her sense of fun and love of life.
Mr Dhanak said: “Natasha was a vibrant personality who was making real progress towards her goal of independence.
“She will be sadly missed by all those who knew her and our thoughts and condolences are with her family during this difficult time.
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