Man who died on migrant barge 'raised no concerns'

The Dorset Police investigation into Mr Farruku's death found there was "no evidence of third-party involvement"

An asylum seeker who died on the Bibby Stockholm had not raised a complaint or concerns about conditions onboard, an inquest has heard.

Leonard Farruku, 27, was found dead on the government's former accommodation barge for migrants at Portland Port, Dorset, on 12 December 2023.

A post-mortem examination found that he had died as a result of compression to the neck and suspension by ligature, the hearing in Bournemouth was previously told.

Coroner Rachael Griffin said there was "no evidence" he was subjected "to racism or inappropriate acts" or that he "ever raised a complaint or concerns about conditions on the barge to those at the barge or to anyone".

The coroner said this was in contrast to concerns the Albanian had raised at his previous accommodation, the Esplanade Hotel in Paignton, Devon, where she heard he had damaged furniture in his room, shouted at staff, and fought with a fellow resident.

The Bibby Stockholm housed male asylum seekers at Portland Port

Yusuf Kargbo, who shared a room with Mr Farruku on the Bibby Stockholm, described him as a "quiet person" who "would only smile and go about his business".

He said Mr Farruku did not have friends on the barge and would sit in the dining hall looking at his phone, and also laugh at videos on his bed, putting up a sheet to give himself some privacy.

"I never had any concern about him because he always had this smiling face," he told the inquest.

Mr Kargbo said that on 11 December Mr Farruku returned to the room at about 18:00 and then went into the shower.

He said when he woke up and found Mr Farruku's bed had not been slept in he raised the alarm with security staff.

They found Mr Farruku in the shower and tried unsuccessfully to give him first aid.

Isabella Basstone, a receptionist on the barge, attended to Mr Farruku as he arrived.

She said: "He was very smiley and came across as very bubbly and sweet. I just remember him being very friendly and happy."

Leonard Farruku was found dead in a shower cubicle on the Bibby Stockholm barge

Det Supt Neil Wright, of Dorset Police, who was in charge of the police investigation into Mr Farruku's death, found that there was "no evidence of third-party involvement".

His sisters Marsida Keci and Jola Dushku said their brother had struggled with his mental health since the death of their parents.

Previously, the inquest was told Mr Farruku had been "distraught" when informed he was being sent to the barge.

Ashley Rangasamy, community builder for Torbay Community Trust, said he was told that a hotel supervisor had "tricked" Mr Farruku by telling him that he was not going to the Bibby Stockholm, though the coroner said the supervisor had since denied this, saying he had not been working that day.

The barge, which was leased by the former Conservative government to try to reduce accommodation costs, held male asylum seekers from August 2023.

The contract was not renewed when Labour came to power in July 2024 and the last residents left in November.

The coroner's findings are expected on Thursday.

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