Retired plumber dies in arson attack on his flat after 'being plagued by yobs for years'

Target of torment: Alan Greasley, who was terrorised for years by youths, died after an arson attack on his flat

A retired father has died in a suspected arson attack on his home after being targeted relentlessly by youths.

Shocked neighbours revealed Alan Greasley, was targeted by youths who ‘made his life a misery’ before he died on Wednesday night.

The 63-year-old was dragged from his burning ground-floor flat but was pronounced dead at the scene after ambulance crews battled to save him.

Angry neighbours in the block of flats in the Walsgrave area of Coventry, West Milands, say they had contacted police the night before but did not hear from them.

Ricky Wiseman, 67, said: ‘I don't know why they picked on him - maybe it was because he was ill.

‘He would come up to me and say that these youths are a bloody nuisance and they were making my life a misery.

‘His windows have been put through around his flat and on his door.

‘They even used to put sticky tape over the CCTV cameras so they could do whatever they wanted.

‘I remember once they pulled this live cabling out of an outdoor light and left it right in front of his door.

‘He was a nice guy. I've known him for years - he didn't bother anyone.’

House fire: Alan Greasley was 'terrified' he would be trapped in his flat if there was a fire

Another flat tenant, who refused to be named for fear of being targeted by the thugs, said youths had already messed around with lighter fuel.

He said: ‘They poured lighter fluid through my letter box once, but luckily they didn't manage to light it.

‘I have been forced to keep my wheelie bins inside my flat to stop them setting them on fire.

‘Some of the kids who were doing it have been taken out of the area but they keep coming back at night, usually whizzing around on those mini motorbikes.’

John Oulds, 64, told The Sun that the night before the arson attack, a local resident called a special police number after yobs were riding scooters and shouting abuse.

He said: ‘Someone called a number especially set to deal with anti-social behaviour but that call went straight to answer phone and no help came.’

Aggressive yobs : Youths put tape over the CCTV cameras so they could do whatever they wanted including putting live cabling outside Alan Greasley's flat

Police investigating the death say the hotline was not intended to be a 24-hour service.

A police spokesperson said: ‘The mobile number was given to residents to report minor offences which could be dealt with by the beat officer.

‘After hours the calls go to an answer phone and the officers pick up messages when they come back on duty.

‘No messages were left the day before the fire. No 999 calls were made on that night either.’

The vicious attacks on popular resident Mr Greasely and other tenants have not stopped despite neighbours reporting the anti-social behaviour to local housing group Orbit.

Speaking about the persistent problems in the area, Orbit’s spokesperson said, ‘We take reports of any kind of harassment towards our residents very seriously and have procedures in place to deal with and resolve any such matters.

Persistent problems: Resident Ricky Wiseman said he's been forced to keep his wheelie bins inside my flat to stop youths setting them on fire

‘However, we have received no reports of any anti-social behaviour towards this resident.

‘We have been approached by the police to help them with their inquiries and will continue to do so until this matter is resolved.

‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of our residents at this sad time.’

Friends of Mr Greasley say he was ‘terrified of being trapped in a flat fire.’

One, known as Tom said: ‘Alan told me on more than one occasion he was terrified of being trapped in his flat if yobs started a fire because he wouldn't be able to get out.

‘I told him he should report it to the police but he was reluctant to, he hoped they'd stop bothering him but they never did.

‘The gangs used to congregate by his flat because it was sheltered and they would shout abuse at him whenever he tried to get into his front door.

He never retaliated ever and just wanted to get on with his life.’

Mr Greasley was a member of the Coventry branch of The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB), a Rotary Club-style group raising thousands of pounds for charity and local projects.

All three emergency services were alerted to the fire at Mr Greasley’s flat on Peterlee Walk at around 9.20pm on Wednesday evening.

West Midlands Police have stated that they believe the fire may have been started deliberately.

Detective Inspector Martin Slevin said: ‘We want anyone who was in the vicinity of Peterlee Walk between 8.30pm and 9.30pm and saw someone acting suspiciously to contact us.

‘All information will be handled in confidence and callers don't have to leave their names.’

Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy and are questioning four other boys between 14 and 16, and a 15-year-old girl in connection to the retired resident’s death.

Police cordoned off the area surrounding the flat in the on Thursday while the emergency services scoured the area.

The remains of the former plumber’s charred possessions were left stacked up outside his home, where a large blue screen had been erected to screen the front and back of the property.