A teenager has been given a 12-month Referral Order following an aggravated burglary after which a Rock Ferry man died.
David Quigley, 69, died three weeks after the burglary that took place on 25 October 2022.
Mr Quigley was discharged from hospital a week later on 2 Novermber, but died 13 days later.
The now 16-year-old boy initially faced charges of murder and aggravated burglary. He admitted grievous bodily harm at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Mr. Quigley’s brother discovered him dead on the couch at his residence on Harrogate Road.
Defence solicitor Catherine Davies said the boy had been “a teenage tearaway” and had autism, ADHD, sensory perception issues and learning difficulties. The boy had no previous convictions.
At the time of David’s death, his brother, Tom Quigley, said, “My brother David was a gentle soul. He was troubled for many years with mental health problems and chronic anxiety, which sometimes made everyday issues seem insurmountable to him. But he was loved and respected by his many family, friends, neighbours and fellow churchgoers alike.
“As those who knew him would agree, if you were ever down on your uppers, David would be there to give whatever he could, despite not having much himself.
“If he was to walk around Grange Road, Birkenhead Market or New Ferry, it wouldn’t be long before someone would shout over ‘Hello Dave, how are you doing?’
“He was such a well-known character and as his younger brother, I was always amazed at just how many passers-by were pleased to see him.
“He had lived in his house for over 40 years and in the words of his community nurse, ‘his mental health had benefitted from this stable environment.’
“He didn’t deserve to end his days in this way. He had many years ahead of him to share with us all. He used to phone me most days – it’s very quiet now.
“Everyone whose life he touched will miss him very, very much, not least me, his only brother.
Image: David Quigley/Family handout
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