An "outraged and horrified" coroner has criticised court decisions made days before a vulnerable young man died in squalid flat that was smeared with mould and dog-mess.

Christopher Sanders, a 21-year-old with serious health problems and learning difficulties, died in the Mitcham flat he shared with his alcoholic step-father, Kevin Fisher.

Mr Fisher had earlier refused to let ambulance crews and police officers into the building when they were called over worries about Mr Sanders' health.

After learning that just days before the death a court had rejected a council plan to give Mr Sanders a fortnight's respite stay away from the flat, coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said: "I'm sorry - I'm outraged. I'm horrified."

Today Westminster Coroner’s Court heard Mr Sanders, a former pupil at St Ann's Special School in Mitcham, suffered serious health problems affecting his brain and glands from birth.

Mr Sanders also had learning difficulties - and the court heard he would sometimes struggle to achieve things he wanted to do by himself.

Social worker Victoria Lewis said that for about two years Merton Council's social services teams had been trying to have move Mr Sanders into new accomodation, because of worries about his quality of life, his poor attendance at college and Mr Fisher's alcoholism.

The step-father - who would often miss meetings with social workers or turn up to them drunk - objected to the plan, the court heard. Social workers also noted Mr Sander's had recently missed an annual health check designed to monitor his conditions.

The court heard that on November 9 last year an ambulance was called to the flat in Fountain House, Saddlers Close, after reports Mr Sanders was vomiting and had diarrhoea.

Paramedic Steve Riley said Mr Fisher had abused him and initially refused to open the door.

He said: "He was swearing and asking us why we were effing here."

The crew eventually found no signs of serious illness, but recommended a GP examine Mr Sanders at a later date.

The next day in a meeting of the Court of Protection - which governs decisions made on behalf of people who cannot make them themselves - the council argued that the 21-year-old should spend two weeks in respite care where he could find out more about becoming independent.

But the court heard lawyers for Mr Sanders and his stepfather succesfully opposed this - and the decision was taken to provide more support at home instead.

On November 13 police were called, after Mr Fisher reported his son had died. PC Matthew Collins said Mr Sanders' body was on a sofa next to some soiled clothing, and his stepfather was "loitering"

outside.

A pathologist later found signs Mr Sanders' stomach had ruptured, and there was no evidence of external injuries.

PC Collins said the flat was filthy and disgusting, with dog mess in the carpets, mould in the sink and empty beer cans and ready meal boxes everywhere.

Dr Radcliffe adjourned the inquest, in order to summon staff from the dead man's GP surgery and obtain more evidence from social workers.

Simon Williams, Merton Council's director for community and housing said: "This is a very sad case for all those involved, particularly for for those officers and social workers who worked very hard to support this young man as best they could. There are many lessons to be learned from this tragic incident.

I'd like to urge people to look out for one another in their communities, be aware of what's going on in their street and remember to report any concerns they may have, no matter how small, relating to the abuse or care of another vulnerable person.

Merton's safeguarding vulnerable adults hotline is 0845 6189762."

Get regular news updates by:

Your Local Guardian: Facebook  Liking our Facebook page

Your Local Guardian: Twitter  Following us on Twitter

...or click here to receive a daily e-mail news bulletin.