Malvern rough sleeper found dead on Christmas Day

The death of a rough sleeper whose body was found in a street on Christmas Day has been described as "tragic".

The man, named locally as Joby Sparrey, was found near the clothing shop Brays, on Worcester Road, Malvern, where tributes have now been left.

Malvern Hills District Council said Mr Sparrey was known to its services and it would be conducting a review.

It is understood to be the second death of a rough sleeper in the Worcestershire town in two months.

On 30 October, a man in his 40s was found dead at Earnslaw Quarry on Wyche Road.

Malvern Hills District Council said it had referred both deaths to the Adult Safeguarding Review team at Worcestershire County Council.

Speaking about the death of Mr Sparrey, head of housing and communities for the council Stephen Gabriel said: "This is a tragic event, particularly at this time of year.

"Mr Sparrey was known to us and we offered extensive support including offering him temporary accommodation whilst longer-term options were explored.

"We do not know the full circumstances of his death, but we will conduct a full review."

West Mercia Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious, and had been referred to Worcestershire coroner's service.

Clinton Kember, Mr Sparrey's cousin, said he was not certain of the circumstances surrounding his death.

"I think someone actually came to get him, to take him to give him something to eat... and they found him dead.

"But I'm not entirely sure of the facts, this is just what I have heard through family members," he said.

Campaigner Hugo Sugg, who launched Justice for Cardon after the death of rough sleeper Cardon Banfield in Worcester in 2016, said he supported the review into Mr Sparrey's death.

"Any tragedies will have lessons we could learn from," he said.

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