A Putney family has vowed to fight for a public inquiry into how their schizophrenic son's case was handled.

Julian Hegarty, 27, who had been paralysed since an accident in 1996, died at the Havelock Court nursing home in Lambeth in February 1998.

A jury at West London Coroners' Court last week recorded a verdict of "death due to an inability to expel vomit due to disability and a respiratory infection, to which an absence of supervision contributed".

The inquest followed a successful campaign by Julian's parents, Stephen and Christine Hegarty, and Putney MP Tony Colman, to have the result of a previous inquest which recorded an open verdict in 1998 quashed.

The Hegartys, of Dover House Road, welcomed the second verdict but said there were still many unresolved issues surrounding their son's tragic death.

Mr Hegarty said: "An awful lot of people let Julian down. There has been lots of new information that has turned up in the second inquest which needs to be looked into further, from the care he received at Havelock to the police investigations afterwards."

Julian was placed at the care home by Wandsworth Council following consultation between its social services department and the family.

An initial investigation is currently being reviewed by the Directorate of Professional Standards the body which investigates complaints against the police after the family claimed it was inadequate.

Following the complaint a second investigation under the Serious Crime Group was carried out and its findings have been handed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Mr Colman told the Borough News the verdict vindicated the battle for a second inquest and added: "There is still a well-founded complaint against the police, who failed to investigate the death adequately, if at all, in the first place."

He said he would be working closely with the family to look at ways to continue the fight.

Julian had only been at the home for four weeks when he died.

The inquest heard he was alone at the time of his death, despite previous reassurances by care staff to the Hegartys, a doctor and his social worker that he would be under constant supervision.

Havelock has already admitted civil liability for the death and the Hegartys are meeting with the CPS on December 18 to see if anyone will face criminal charges.

December 14, 2001 11:00