NEIGHBOURS questioned whether a vulnerable pensioner’s death was preventable after it emerged he was hounded by youths and suffered a violent burglary days before he died.

Reclusive 68-year-old Albert Williams, who was estranged from his family and couldn’t read or write, died in a fire at his flat in Cedar Close, Southend.

But the Echo was told how youths abused him in the street, masked intruders beat and robbed him a fortnight ago and neighbours raised concerns for the retired gardener’s safety with South Essex Homes, which manages his flat, a year ago.

Neighbour Brian Wallis, who knew Albert for about five years, said: “I am of the opinion the burglary and Albert’s death were linked.

“I will maintain his death was preventable because even in the most recent incidents, the robbery and attack, him going to hospital, coming back and going to hospital again, the fact remains Albert should not have been in his flat.

“If South Essex Homes had responded to our fears last year and since, Albert would have been in a place of safety, being cared for by professionals who could have helped him with his reduced capacity, like reading and writing.

“He was not best served in the place he was put.”

Albert faced abuse in the streets over his dishevelled appearance and reclusive lifestyle, but would cycle down to the seafront, cafes and parks.

But after he was pushed off his bike, injuring himself, he got rid of his bike and stayed indoors, watching television and only leaving to buy tobacco.

He struggled to manage his finances, had never learned to drive and relied on his neighbours to arrange things like meals on wheels for him.

On Saturday, August 1, three men in balaclavas forced their way into his ground floor flat, burgled him and beat him so badly he needed hospital treatment for suspected broken ribs.

Mr Wallis, 71, who acted as an informal carer for his friend, said: “While two of them were giving him a kicking, the other was stealing anything he could find.

“They took all of his money. He was badly injured and hospitalised.

“I looked at him and I was shocked. His face had obviously been stamped on and he had probably got a punctured lung.

“In my view he should never have been let out of hospital. His face was bleeding and he was struggling to breathe.”

The concerned former RAF logistics officer contacted South Essex Homes again.

He said: “I said: ‘You need to do something about Mr Williams.

He can’t breathe and he has very nasty wounds.’ “I said: ‘If you don’t do something, there is going to be a tragedy.’”

The ambulance crewalso alerted social workers, who visited Mr Williams, but he refused to let them.

They arranged to visit again next week, but Mr Williams died in the fire last Saturday.

Police are preparing a report into Mr Williams’s death for the coroner and the fire service is investigating the cause of the fire.