Maggots in flats after body found

Residents in a block of flats woke up to maggots in their bedrooms following the death of a neighbour.

A man had not been seen for a few weeks and his body was discovered at his home in Kingston Court, Northfleet.

But the following day, and despite people living at the block scrubbing as thoroughly as they could, they were showing no signs of disappearing.

One woman, who has two young children and did not wish to be named, said she repeatedly phoned Gravesham council but was getting nowhere.

She said: “My son woke up to maggots in his room.

“He’s got autism and I don’t want to tell him what happened, but imagine my embarrassment if he goes to school and tells his teacher. The police came and told us there were maggots on the stairs so to be careful. I had to lead my two children out with their hoods up.

“But the council just isn’t doing anything. I’m absolutely disgusted with how it’s acted.”

The woman said they’d come and taken away his body and made attempts to clean up but had not made any effort to rid the block of the maggots and larva.

A Gravesham council spokesman said: “Our caretaking team have been carrying out deep cleans of the communal areas including sanitising hallways and doors

“We understand residents have found this a difficult time and we thank them for their assistance.”

The resident added: “I don’t want to come across as insensitive, of course I’m upset he’s died but this is a terrible situation. It’s not fair on the families here.”