Killed by his 'CARER'

Julie Wainwright’s vulnerable brother was preyed upon for cash

- JOE CUSACK

Ever since we were children, I’d always felt protective of my younger brother Paul. I was only two years older than him, but I just felt this need and want to look after him. As we got older, Paul was quiet and shy – the complete opposite of me.

When I was 18, I married and went on to have five children – Stephen, Melissa, Nicola, Simon and Kimberley. Paul became an engineer and went to work in Germany for a few years. He played in a pipe band and was a talented guitarist, too.

He got married and had three children of his own and was a wonderful father. But, when he was 39, Paul started having some problems with his health. He’d shake uncontrollably and he’d stagger, too, as though he was drunk.

Paul had never been a drinker, he didn’t even like the taste of alcohol. He saw his GP and had a string of tests and, eventually, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I was devastated for him and when I saw how upset Paul was, I wanted to do everything I could to protect him, just like when we were kids. ‘I’m here for you,’ I promised him.

In 1999, Paul’s marriage broke down and he found himself living alone. He had to stop work, too, because of his illness. He came to live with me for a while, but he didn’t settle. I understood he needed his independence and he moved into a little flat in Manchester where I’d visit him every week.

By now, my children were adults, and had families of their own, but they helped me keep an eye on Paul, delivering food parcels to him and doing his washing. Paul seemed to be coping well. He had a mobility scooter and was out and about most days.