Two-year-old died after struggling to breathe in ‘mouldy’ flat

Rochdale Coroners Court docket heard how the medical reason behind Awaab Ishak’s dying was linked to situations on the flat he lived in (Image: MEN Media)

A two-year-old boy ‘couldn’t breathe’ by way of his nostril and had a ‘steady cough’ throughout his remaining few days in a mouldy flat, an inquest has heard.

Awaab Ishak died per week after his second birthday after residing in a ‘disgusting’ flat.

Photographs of mould and damp within the property had been revealed throughout an inquest at Rochdale Coroners Court docket.

Awaab’s father had battled with the situations since 2017 – greater than three years earlier than his son’s dying in December 2020.

The courtroom heard the medical reason behind the toddler’s dying was linked to the situations at their social flat.

However situations on the property, owned and managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), didn't go the brink for legal fees.

Awaab’s father, Faisal Abdullah, had travelled to the UK as an asylum seeker from Sudan in July 2015, the inquest heard.

He lived in a variety of properties earlier than shifting into a brand new flat in August 2016 earlier than his spouse Aisha Amin joined him in February 2018.

Mr Abdullah first seen black dots of mould in his kitchen from October 2017, the courtroom heard.

Awaab died in December 2020 (Image: MEN Media)

He took a photograph and confirmed employees at RBH’s housing workplace, who informed him: ‘You would need to paint over it.’

Requested if he was ever informed to purchase specialist anti-mould paint, Mr Abdullah stated ‘no’, and informed the courtroom he simply painted over the affected space till it ‘regarded OK’.

The mould and damp progressively worsened and Mr Abdullah finally utilized for a brand new residence in Could 2019, 5 months after the untimely start of Awaab.

He informed the courtroom: ‘Each week, two weeks, I spoke to them about it, “when am I going to maneuver from this home?”‘

The courtroom heard Mr Abdullah despatched a collection of emails to totally different addresses at RBH about damp and mold, and requested the possibility to maneuver.

An e mail learn: ‘Kitchen… damp is actually dangerous… I've a child and my spouse, she pregnant. I want additional motion please.’

Younger Awaab quickly struggled with a blocked nostril and coughing on a number of events.

He was prescribed an inhaler in summer season 2020, across the similar time he started affected by a steady cough.

On December 16, 2020, Awaab began affected by a sore throat and on December 19 was taken to an pressing care centre with a ‘rattling noise’ in his throat and respiration difficulties.

On December 20, he was handled for croup however was discharged with ‘tablets and inhaler and spray’.

Awaab had simply celebrated his second birthday the week earlier than his dying (Image: MEN Media)

Ms Amin stated her son’s situation didn't enhance.

‘We didn’t sleep on December 20,’ she stated. ‘Awaab’s chest was worse than earlier than. Awaab managed to sleep for an hour then get up, he was not effectively.’

On December 21, he was transferred to Royal Oldham Hospital the place, regardless of medical doctors’ greatest efforts, Awaab died half-hour after arriving.

Better Manchester Police raised considerations in regards to the mould seen within the household residence, and an environmental survey was carried out on the property by Rochdale Council on December 23, 2020.

In June 2022 Detective Constable Chris Davies spoke to residents and noticed the mould himself.

However he informed the courtroom the proof gathered wouldn't meet the brink for legal fees being made in opposition to RBH on the grounds of gross negligence manslaughter or company manslaughter. 

Richard Blakeway, housing ombudsman for England, informed the courtroom in regards to the findings of a report launched final October calling on social landlords to take a extra proactive method to tackling damp and mold – and steered it might be ‘too simplistic’ responsible residents for the problem.

He stated: ‘Damp and mold is, in case you like, a symptom and the causes might be structural or non-structural.’

‘The report acknowledges there could also be elements like gasoline poverty, age and design of houses, which can make the chance of damp and mold larger. Our report was to say that these are recognized dangers and due to this fact it’s essential for them to consider their method to ensure they handle these recognized challenges.’

Mr Blakeway steered there was scope for laws to be strengthened relating to management of damp and mold, equally to the way it has been on legionella and fuel security.

Awaab’s inquest is anticipated to final for 9 days. Proceedings proceed.

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