'Squalor is slur on owner's life'

Residents fear rats will be attracted to the squalid mess in Lichfield Avenue, Ronkswood, Worcester, which includes full cat litter trays, mouldy cups and saucepans, stale food and overflowing bins.

Blue disposable gloves, possibly used to remove the dead body of previous occupant, transsexual Suzanne Ford, also litter the outside of the council property.

One nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said 47-year-old telephonist Miss Ford, previously known as Steven Havercroft, was well-liked in the community.

He believes the state of the garden is a real slur on the man's life.

"It really is disgusting. I couldn't believe gloves which could have moved his body were just left scattered on the front of his property," he said.

"I've tried to contact the council to clear the waste, but I seem to be going around in circles.

Lovely people

"I've known Steven and his family for years. They were lovely people and well liked in the community.

"Unfortunately, his mother passed away last year and I just know they wouldn't want the garden left like this."

Miss Ford was found by police lying on the bedroom floor of the house on Wednesday, July 16.

He was described by police as living in "squalor" and died from brain damage due to a combination of dural sinus thrombosis and oestrogen and anti-androgen therapy.

Ian Harkess, housing manager at Worcester City Council, said that because Miss Ford had died intestate, removing items from the house was difficult, because of matters of ownership.

But he agreed something could be done to remove rubbish from outside the house.

"Once we have dealt with ownership of the belongings, we will be able to look at re-letting the property," he said.

"We can deal with anything causing a nuisance outside of the property. We will remove anything which is causing a problem."

He confirmed a team would be removing the rubbish by the end of the week.