THE decomposing body of an elderly man lay undiscovered in a Teignmouth flat for a month or more.

Concerned fellow residents at Beechcroft in Salisbury Terrace found the decaying remains of Lenny Parsons, 74, after looking through his letter box and being met with ‘a terrible, unforgettable smell’.

Mr Parsons was known to have had alcohol problems. Now questions are being asked about why he was not spotted earlier.

Mr Parsons had caused problems in the past through his drinking, and residents said police had warned that he was a risk to himself and others.

Beechcroft is a former Devon County Council residential home, and the block of 19 flats for the over-55s is run by the Guinness Partnership, a charitable community benefit society.

For months, Anthony Davies, 73, and other residents have been fighting a campaign to end the enforced provision of a retired living adviser, for whom they pay as part of their service charge.

‘I am really concerned about the residents most affected by Lenny’s death. The smell and the flies were awful and people are very upset. 

‘It shows how pointless having a retired living adviser is if one of us can lie dead for five weeks before being found. If one of us were ill, we could die before help arrived. Nobody would know. It’s a terrible end to a life.’

Residents also claim that nobody from the Guinness Partnership had been in touch to offer them support following Mr Parson’s death.

Local councillor Alison Eden, who is taking up the case and various complaints about the running of the homes, said that over an 18-month period police had regularly brought Mr Parsons home following drink-related incidents.

Cllr Eden said: ‘I am told by residents they had complained to the landlords, the Guinness Partnership, that he needed help.

‘On several occasions he had also set off smoke alarms and burned carpets because of his smoking.

‘I have been meeting residents for some time over a range of complaints about the management of the flats.

‘It is shocking to find that despite clear knowledge of Mr Parson’s condition, and despite the employment of a retired living adviser, Guinness Care failed in their duty of care. 

‘A resident lay dead for more than a month and his body was only found following what residents described as a putrid stench.

‘This has disturbed and distressed residents, many of whom are vulnerable.’

‘At the very least, the service charge relating to the retired living adviser should be refunded in the light of recent events. 

A spokesman for the Guinness Partnership said: ‘We were deeply saddened by the death of Mr Parsons and our thoughts are with all who knew him.  We responded as soon as we were informed of the death and offered support to other customers.  

‘Our staff visit Beechcroft twice a week and are available for customers should they wish to ask for any help or support.

‘During the visits we will also check on the fire alarms and other safety aspects of the buildings.  

 ‘We believe that our independent living advisor provides an important service which the residents value in terms of the support it provides. 

‘We would always urge residents who have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of one of their neighbours to get in touch with us as soon as possible.  

‘We are in touch with councillor Eden and will be discussing the issues she has raised with her.’