Luke Brooks: State of mouldy home did not cause death - inquest

Luke Brooks, 27, died in October 2022

House disrepair did not play a role in the death of Luke Brooks at a home that was found to have mould, a coroner has ruled.

Council inspectors found damp, mould and leaks at the home of the 27-year-old in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

Mr Brooks' parents had claimed that mould was to blame for his death in October 2022.

Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley said the evidence was "not sufficient" to determine the source of his illness.

She told the family her findings "do not take away from the fact that there were things that needed to be done to your house and it was quite right to raise them".

Mr Brooks, his parents, a cousin and a friend shared the privately-rented house.

The coroner gave a medical cause of death as acute respiratory distress disorder caused by aspergillus pneumonia.

But she said the evidence was not sufficient to determine the source of the aspergillus.

Fungus expert Professor Malcolm Richardson said the black mould visible in a number of locations in the Huxley Street home, including Mr Brooks's bedroom, was a different type - penicillium - which is not a pathogen.

He said he carried out tests at the house in April - six months after Mr Brooks' death - and found "very, very little" evidence of aspergillus, with just one spore found in the bedroom.

Addressing the family, Ms Kearsley praised them for their openness in acknowledging that Mr Brooks' room was untidy, describing his room as "unsanitary".

She noted that he did not have any known medical conditions and described his infection in someone so young and seemingly healthy as "rare".

Mr Brooks' parents said they felt they did everything in their power to fix the mould

The coroner also acknowledged his death must have come as a shock to them.

The inquest heard Mr Brooks had spent most of his time in the bedroom he shared with his friend and three dogs.

Witnesses said the room was in a state of "squalor", rarely cleaned, and contained dirty crockery and food.

Mrs Brooks told the court her son had never really been sick in his life before he developed the illness.

Inspections that took place in 2018 and 2021 found mould, damp and leaks as well as other electrical faults and missing plaster.

Oldham Council officials admitted there had been "missed opportunities" particularly related to "communication" and "joint-working" with various departments and agencies.

What is aspergillus?

• A type of mould that was found in Luke Brooks' lungs

• But different to the black patches of mould associated with damp houses, which is called penicillium

• Luke died with aspergillus pneumonia that caused acute respiratory distress, making it hard for him to breathe

• Aspergillus is most commonly associated with rotting vegetation, such as a compost heap

In her conclusion, Ms Kearsley said: "While the property within which Luke resided was in need of some repairs, neither the disrepairs nor any damp caused or contributed to Luke's death.

"Luke predominately resided in his bedroom which was in an unsanitary condition. He also smoked roll up cigarettes and used cannabis.

"Due to these factors, it is not possible to determine the source of the aspergillus."

Luke Brooks died six days after developing a cough, rash and sore throat, the inquest heard

She said to the family: "I do appreciate you had some genuine concerns about the property and my findings do not take away from that things did need to be done to the house.

"What I have had to separate is whether they did or did not play a part in Luke's death."

She said his parents were "quite right to raise these concerns - I absolutely understand that".

"I hope you understand why I have reached the conclusions I have come to," she said.

Ms Kearsley said Mr Brooks' reaction to aspergillus pneumonia was "extreme" given his age and with no history of any serious medical problems.

Speaking outside court, Mr Brooks's sister, Sarah, said: "For three years there was no proper heating, and it was so cold that you could see your breath when you talked.

"Even though the coroner didn't find direct proof that the house caused Luke's death, we want to talk about the problems we faced."

Ms Brooks said the family "felt ignored" by environmental health officers and described how her mother told the council the family needed to be housed somewhere else before someone died.

She said: "Things need to change. Many people live in houses with mould but they're scared to say anything because they worry their landlord will kick them out.

"Tenants should feel safe speaking up about their living conditions."

Mr and Mrs Brooks told the hearing they had "begged" their landlord to make repairs

Ms Brooks, who was flanked by her mother, Patricia, and father, James, said: "Our Luke was really something special.

"He had so many talents like drawing, cooking, singing and playing the piano.

"He didn't always realise how amazing he was, but he was also really smart. We loved him a lot."

Elaine Taylor, cabinet member for housing at Oldham Council, said it was a "tragic case" and urged anyone with concerns about privately-rented properties to get in touch.

"Everyone who rents private accommodation should be living in a well-managed property that is safe, warm and comfortable," she said.