Migrant who died on Bibby Stockholm barge 'told staff he wanted to return to home country', inquest hears

An Albanian migrant who died on the Bibby Stockholm said he wanted to return to his home country because of "mental health issues" before he was moved to the barge, an inquest has heard.

Leonard Farruku was found unresponsive in a shower cubicle on board the vessel, which was docked at Portland Port, Dorset, on 12 December 2023.

A post-mortem found the 27-year-old died as a result of compression to the neck and suspension by ligature.

His sisters have questioned how their brother, who they said struggled with his mental health after their parents' deaths, was allowed to be moved to the Bibby Stockholm.

The inquest heard on Wednesday that Mr Farruku was placed at the Esplanade Hotel in Paignton, Devon, before being moved to the vessel.

Kavya Gowrishanker, a housing officer at the hotel at the time, said Mr Farruku's behaviour and concerns for his mental health were the subject of several incidents at the lodgings.

The inquest heard he had "threatened to kill staff if they do not give him what he needs" and asked for "weed".

It was told that after Mr Farruku damaged furniture in his room, he told staff: "God will come to clean his room."

Ms Gowrishanker said: "He didn't seem alright, I have reported that he would be needing mental health support as his behaviour was not normal."

The hearing was told that on 29 July 2023, Mr Farruku told reception staff that he "wanted to return to his home country as soon as possible".

Ms Gowrishanker said Mr Farruku wanted to go back within five days and threatened violence if no action was taken.

An incident form was created but Mr Farruku had turned down an offer for a mental health appointment, she added. The inquest heard he later changed his mind about wanting to return to Albania.

Ms Gowrishanker also said two members of a first response mental health team attended the hotel on 12 August but Mr Farruku - who knew they were coming - was "not available".

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When police officers attended, staff raised their concerns and asked if they could refer him to a mental health team, she said.

PC Tom Dare, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said he found Mr Farruku "clearly frustrated [and] swearing" at the hotel on 25 July, the day after his colleagues responded to a confrontation between Mr Farruku and another resident.

"He kicked a bin over, threw something around despite me telling him it wasn't acceptable," PC Dare said.

"I have taken him by the arm outside using my section three powers to clear his head."

Mr Farruku then came back in a calmer state and he spent an hour talking to him, he added.

"We were talking about his frustrations, missing his family, wanting to go home, a general chat."

The inquest continues.

(c) Sky News 2025: Migrant who died on Bibby Stockholm barge 'told staff he wanted to return to home count