Call to give vulnerable adults more protection after murder probe
CALLS have been made to toughen up the protection given to vulnerable adults following a probe into the sadistic torture and murder of a frail ex-charity worker.
A serious case review into the killing of Joseph O’Hanlon has recommended the authorities treat vulnerable adults the same as children at risk of abuse.
The Rochdale Borough Safeguarding Adults Board published the findings of the review on Thursday examining the contact and support Joe, 61, had with authorities in the months before his death.
He suffered 90 separate injuries in a brutal, prolonged assault over several days in his own home last April.
While Joe a former charity director, magazine editor and poet, lay dying or dead on the floor, killer Anthony Bennett took charge of his Town Mill Brow flat at College Bank for several days, coming and going as he pleased, sleeping in his victim’s bed and wearing his clothes.
The report states police, council, NHS, housing association and charity workers had 128 ‘professional contacts’ with Joe, who was an alcoholic, in the months before his death after concerns were raised he was being exploited by ‘vultures’ who were using his flat and stealing his bank cards to take money from his account.
But, the report said, because Joe was often reluctant to accept help and regularly failed to turn up for appointments, it made assisting him difficult.
The panel said overall the way the authorities handled the concerns was ‘reasonable’ and in some cases ‘excellent’.
But they also called for a major change in the way vulnerable adults are protected.
The report states: “The panel believe the most important issue arising from this review is the need to align the culture, policy and practice much more with that which exists in relation to protecting vulnerable children.”
It adds if Joe had been a vulnerable child ‘there would have been a much greater level of expecta- tion in relation to the actions of professionals’.
The panel has made nine recommendations, which include ensuring there is an individual professional who can take responsibility reducing abuse, ensuring that key family members are identified and work with authorities and that measures are put in place to ensure banks and building societies recognise the risk of financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Bennett, 43, of no fixed address, was jailed for life for murder and two earlier assaults at Manchester Crown Court in November and must serve a minimum of 21 years.
Sentencing judge Mr Justice Goss described the murder as a ‘dreadful case of callous brutality’.
Jane Booth, independent chair of the Rochdale Borough Safeguarding Adults Board, said: “This is a particularly tragic story and our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends.
“We welcome publication of today’s report, and together with all partner agencies that have responsibility for safeguarding adults with care and support needs in the Rochdale borough, we accept the safeguarding adult review recommendations in full.”