Detective's message to victims of cuckooing as killer jailed

DCI Allen Davies, of Lancashire Constabulary's Major Investigation Team, spoke out following the sentencing of Naeem Mustafa, who was jailed for life after a jury at Preston Crown Court found him guilty of killing Michael Brierley, a vulnerable man over whom he had exercised complete control.

Mustafa, it was revealed, had been using Mr Brierley’s home, which he shared with his partner Jeannie Wright, as a base for drinking, drug-taking and sex – in something which has been described by officers as a classic case of 'cuckooing'.

DCI Al Davies with Michael Brierley's family

Cuckooing is a practice where people take over a person's home and use the property to facilitate exploitation – whether financial or otherwise - taken from the cuckoo bird which lays its egg in the nest of a different species of bird, with the chick taking over from the bird's actual offspring.

Further details in the case described how Mustafa had ensured Mr Brierley’s benefits would be paid into his account – with the Honourable Mr Justice Barry Cotter also summarising how the couple’s home had been used a place where men would often gather and cause issues.

Judge Cotter said that Mustafa had ‘taken control over their home and their lives’ – with the property becoming a magnet for others to misuse.

He described incidents of fighting, shouting, swearing and people urinating outside of the property, with reports showing those in attendance were mostly Asian males and younger women.

Such was the situation inside the home that Jeannie Wright’s carers stopped visiting the property.

Following the sentencing hearing DCI Davies issued a message in which he urged anybody who found themselves in a similar situation to get out and find help.

DCI Al Davies

He said: “I want to reach out directly to anybody who may be the victim of cuckooing or any type of physical, emotional or financial abuse to contact the police and let us know what is going on before it is too late.

“We will listen to you; we will protect you and we will prosecute your abuser.

“Similarly, I would like to appeal to the public to look out for their neighbours, friends and relatives, and report anything suspicious to the police.

“Whether that be shouting coming from a property, a change in somebody’s demeanour, evidence of somebody exerting control over somebody else or unexplained injuries. These may all be the signs of cuckooing and by reporting it to police, you may end up saving somebody’s life.”

He added: “What has sadly become clear during this investigation is that Michael and his partner were victims of cuckooing at the hands of Mustafa.

“He exploited their vulnerabilities for his own financial benefit, controlling their lives, subjecting them to regular violence and verbal abuse and having Michael’s benefits paid into his own bank account.

“We know that Michael did confide in friends and neighbours about what was going on – but as you often see in cases of cuckooing - told them not to go to the police for fear of what Mustafa would do to him.”

Mr Brierley was pronounced dead on November 8 after Ms Wright called 999.

He had been subjected to 164 injuries – all of which had been issued with weapons, punches and kicks.

You can read our full report here.

If you believe you are a victim of cuckooing or are concerned about someone who may be, contact the police on 101. In an emergency of if a crime is in progress always dial 999.