THERE was a regrettable lack of compassion in the article in last week's Malvern Gazette concerning the tragic death of busker Nicholas Lewtschuk.

I fail to see the relevance of dredging up past offences when reporting upon the demise of a young homeless person such as he.

Doubtless the mentioning of his previous anti-social behaviour and his Satanic tattoos makes for good shock value. However, it may come as a surprise to you that the majority of destitute or homeless people in this country are not grovelling, plaintive subservients who scuttle after passers-by croaking "Thank 'ee Sirr", upon receipt of a few coins.

It is precisely because so many people like Mr Lewtschuk suffer from mental health problems, or else problems relating to drug or alcohol abuse that make them violent or anti-social, that they need extra levels of understanding.

While it is obviously intolerable for violent or anti-social behaviour to take place, it is also essential that the public realise that it is homeless people who exhibit such behaviour who are the ones in most need of help.

Nicholas Lewtschuk's death may, to some, be a statistic; in reality, this was a human being whose aggressive outbursts were a cry of despair and who deserves the respect and dignity in death that he was sadly robbed of in life.

This winter, there will be dozens more statistics up and down the country - people with lives no less valuable than yours or mine, who have never had the support and help they need.

OWEN MORGAN, Cowleigh Road, Malvern.