In the summer of 2006, emergency services were called to the foot of a railway viaduct in St Austell, Cornwall, where the body of a 39-year-old man was discovered.

His name was Steven Hoskin, and while his death initially raised more questions than answers, what investigators would soon uncover painted a harrowing picture. Not only of the cruelty he endured in his final hours, but also of the systemic failings that allowed it to happen.

Steven was vulnerable, well-meaning, and eager for friendship, but in a world not built to protect people like him, those qualities made him a target. This is a story of prolonged manipulation, unchecked cruelty, and a deeply troubling case that disability charity Scope would go on to describe as "an extreme example of disablism".

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Intro music:⁣

David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

davidjohnbrady.com

Disclaimer:

The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

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