This is a media release by Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, reshared by INQUEST
Before HM Senior Coroner Mrs Rachael Griffin
Dorset Coroner’s Court
Opening 15 September 2025
Scheduled for 4 weeks
Leonard Farruku was found unresponsive in the bathroom of his shared room on the Bibby Stockholm barge in the early morning of 12 December 2023 and declared deceased.
Leonard’s family describe him as a brave and kind man, who had a real talent for music, specifically the accordion and the piano. Leonard’s father was also a musician and encouraged Leonard to nurture his talent. Leonard was treasured by his two older sisters and was especially close to his mother before she passed away.
Prior to his death Leonard was living in asylum accommodation in the community where the inquest is likely to hear he was identified and recorded as presenting as severely mentally unwell. He was nevertheless assessed as suitable to be accommodated on the Bibby Stockholm and relocated there on a no choice basis by the Home Office.
The inquest will, among other issues, explore Leonard’s mental health before and whilst onboard the barge, the decision to transfer him to the barge, and the systems in place to safeguard and care for vulnerable people.
The family will not make any further statements at this time.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Bibby Stockholm barge was commissioned by the Home Office and housed asylum seekers between August 2023 and November 2024.
The persons offered Interested Person status in the inquest are: Leonard’s family, the Home Office, Migrant Help, Clearsprings Ready Homes, Stay Belvedere Homes Ltd, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, Corporate Travel Management, Landry & Kling, ISCA Maritime Security Services, South Coast Medical Group, Portland Port, NHS Dorset and Dorset Council.
For further information please contact Christina Bodenes at Bhatt Murphy on 020 7729 1115 or c.bodenes@bhattmurphy.co.uk
The family is represented by Christina Bodenes and Mark Scott of Bhatt Murphy and Raj Desai of Matrix Chambers.
Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests
Leonard Farruku
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This is a media release by Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, reshared by INQUEST
Before HM Senior Coroner Mrs Rachael Griffin
Dorset Coroner’s Court
Opening 15 September 2025
Scheduled for 4 weeks
Leonard Farruku was found unresponsive in the bathroom of his shared room on the Bibby Stockholm barge in the early morning of 12 December 2023 and declared deceased.
Leonard’s family describe him as a brave and kind man, who had a real talent for music, specifically the accordion and the piano. Leonard’s father was also a musician and encouraged Leonard to nurture his talent. Leonard was treasured by his two older sisters and was especially close to his mother before she passed away.
Prior to his death Leonard was living in asylum accommodation in the community where the inquest is likely to hear he was identified and recorded as presenting as severely mentally unwell. He was nevertheless assessed as suitable to be accommodated on the Bibby Stockholm and relocated there on a no choice basis by the Home Office.
The inquest will, among other issues, explore Leonard’s mental health before and whilst onboard the barge, the decision to transfer him to the barge, and the systems in place to safeguard and care for vulnerable people.
The family will not make any further statements at this time.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Bibby Stockholm barge was commissioned by the Home Office and housed asylum seekers between August 2023 and November 2024.
The persons offered Interested Person status in the inquest are: Leonard’s family, the Home Office, Migrant Help, Clearsprings Ready Homes, Stay Belvedere Homes Ltd, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, Corporate Travel Management, Landry & Kling, ISCA Maritime Security Services, South Coast Medical Group, Portland Port, NHS Dorset and Dorset Council.
For further information please contact Christina Bodenes at Bhatt Murphy on 020 7729 1115 or c.bodenes@bhattmurphy.co.uk
The family is represented by Christina Bodenes and Mark Scott of Bhatt Murphy and Raj Desai of Matrix Chambers.
Journalists should refer to the Samaritans Media Guidelines for reporting suicide and self-harm and guidance for reporting on inquests
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