Homeless Daniel Gauntlett was found dead outside this house

by Chris Hunter

chunter@thekmgroup.co.uk

News of Daniel Gauntlett’s death last month sparked shock and outrage not just in Kent but around the country.

From villagers in Aylesford to bloggers on the internet, hundreds struggled to understand how a homeless 35-year-old man could have frozen to death on the doorstep of an empty bungalow, due to be demolished, in Hermitage Lane, Aylesford.

Now his former partner and the people of Aylesford have told how the dad of two, originally from East Malling, was dearly loved and respected, but that a cycle of depression combined with run-ins with the law and a stubborn streak had driven him on to the streets.

Former partner Debbie Arnold, 43, from Dickens Drive, East Malling, had been in a relationship with Daniel (pictured right) for several years after he split from his ex-wife Kerry.

“He was a lovely man,” she said. “I would like people to get a proper picture of him.

“He was brilliant with my kids and he would do everything for them.”

Although he’d worked in the scrap metal industry, Daniel was also a skilled gardener and decorator, who had always done jobs for family and friends.

“He decorated my home and I’ve never changed it since,” added Debbie. “I just can’t.

“People have been saying - where were the family? Why was no one helping him?

"But they don’t know the situation.”

Debbie Arnold, ex partner of Daniel Gauntlett, homeless man who died in Aylesford

She said Daniel was a sensitive soul, but also easily led and falling in with the wrong crowd had led to a short spell in prison for burglary three years ago.

“No one would give him a chance after that, no one would give him a job. He was very low and found that a lot of things were getting to him.”

Daniel had hit a downward spiral, began drinking more and the couple fell out.

She believes there is not enough help for homeless people in Britain and that support services should pro-actively seek them out.

According to the Maidstone Day Care Centre, in Knightrider Street, Maidstone, Mr Gauntlett had been known to the unit but had not used its services recently.

Under current arrangements the day centre is able to find shelter using Maidstone council funding whenever the temperature drops below zero.

Mrs Arnold added: “The charities are good but I can walk around Maidstone and see homeless people in the street and they’re ill.

“They’re not nasty people. They’re people with problems.”