Two landlords named in Prevention of Future Deaths report after death of man whose flat was cuckooed by criminal gangs

It was sent to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), and is one of a series of PFD reports he issued regarding the case.

Mr Hargreaves, who had experienced trauma in his childhood and later developed substance addiction issues, lived in social housing run by Sanctuary in Newquay. The inquest heard that concerns that his flat had been cuckooed – or taken over by criminal gangs – had existed from around 2020.

“In 2023, following the receipt of safeguarding alerts, it became apparent substantial damage had been caused at the flat, which was uninhabitable,” Mr Cox wrote in his reports.

Mr Hargreaves was sleeping rough elsewhere, with a temporary accommodation placement collapsing after drug paraphernalia was discovered. In early 2024, he was served with a Notice Seeking Possession of his Sanctuary flat.

He was placed in emergency accommodation, but was not detained in hospital after being found on a cliff edge in Newquay on 19 January 2024. He was instead discharged, and the following day his body was recovered from the sea, with Mr Hargreaves having consumed numerous drugs and fallen from a height.

Following the conclusion of the inquest, Mr Cox sent five PFD reports, raising concerns about how different organisations responded to Mr Hargreaves and warning of the risk of future deaths if they were not addressed.

“Safeguarding alerts were raised that Callum was being cuckooed,” Mr Cox wrote in his PFD report to Cornwall Council.

“There was then a ‘stand-off’ between Sanctuary and the council as to who had responsibility for housing Callum. This was not resolved even though there were seven safeguarding conferences held over half a year.

“It was felt by the chair of the safeguarding conferences that Callum had been failed and that the question of who was responsible for his accommodation should have been resolved much more quickly.”

Mr Cox’s report asked the council how it wanted social housing providers to resolve concerns over cuckooing, and how it could more quickly resolve disputes over who has responsibility for housing a cuckooed tenant who has effectively become homeless.

“Council witnesses held conflicting views as to whether a social tenancy disqualified a tenant from making a homelessness application,” his report added. “It is for the council to decide how to ensure a consistent approach is taken by its staff.”

The PFD report to Sanctuary said a survey in 2023 revealed £10,000 of damage to Mr Hargreaves’ flat, rendering it uninhabitable.

It was not determined during his life whether or not Mr Hargreaves had been cuckooed, or whether the damage at his flat had been caused by him or the criminals who had taken over. The inquest established that he had been cuckooed, and that the damage was more likely to have been caused by the criminals.

“A vulnerable tenant ruthlessly exploited by thugs who took over his flat deserved support and assistance and not punishment,” Mr Cox wrote.

“It was felt this had not been worked through by Sanctuary Housing before it made the decision to serve a Notice Seeking Possession on Callum, who took his own life only weeks after its receipt.”

Mr Cox’s PFD report to MHCLG highlighted that around 26,000 families are on Cornwall’s social housing register, but that only about a thousand properties may be available to let each year.

“This has obvious implications for Cornwall Council’s ability to provide accommodation for those who are homeless whether or not they present with priority needs,” he wrote. This was before the announcement in the Spending Review that £39bn would be invested in social and affordable housing over the next decade.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of Mr Hargreaves.

“While we have already made significant changes in light of this tragic incident, we will carefully consider the issues raised. Details of the changes we have made and any further action we will take in light of this report will be published in our response to the coroner in due course.”

A spokesperson for Sanctuary said: “We are aware of the coroner’s report and will be taking time to carefully consider the content. Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Hargreaves.”

MHCLG did not respond to a request for comment.

This latest PFD report comes after a case earlier this year. Another coroner had warned the government about the social housing shortage after a man took his own life following an eviction that left him homeless. This led to him being separated from his family and living in a vehicle.