Homeless Northampton man who died of brain damage was found in squat in Derngate

Nothing could be done to save the life of a homeless Northampton man who suffered severe brain damage in a squat in the town centre.

Maciej Pekala was found lying face down on pillow in an abandoned property in Derngate in August 2019.

When paramedics arrived to assess the 50-year-old, they diagnosed what they saw as an indication of severe brain damage and he was taken to hospital.

At an inquest held yesterday, the coroner heard how Mr Pekala had been seen earlier on the day he was found with "nearly incomprehensible" speech.

It was also heard how the man had bruising to his eye, rib cage and under his arms, and had previously said he was staying at the squat in Derngate because he had been "thrown off the Racecourse" earlier that day.

However, these injuries were not attributed to his cause of death.

Instead, doctors found that Mr Pekala had suffered a swelling on both sides of his brain that caused damage incompatible with life.

The court heard the condition was more likely to occur in people who inject drugs - to the point that senior coroner Anne Pember concluded that Mr Pekala's death was one of "natural causes for a person who abuses illicit substances" and he could not have been saved.

There were no family members at the inquest.

The empty house where Mr Pekala was found is currently being considered for demolition to make way for flats.