A SEVERELY handicapped man was scalded after being left alone in a care home shower that turned red hot.

John Dillon, 46, who only had the capabilities of a nine month old baby, suffered burns to his face and chest and died five days later.

His carer who had gone to answer the telephone, returned to find him helpless in a wheelchair in a bathroom full of steam, a Manchester inquest was told.

And an investigation at the three-bedroom home on Cornhill Road, Davyhulme, revealed the boiler and shower hadn't been fitted with thermostatic mixing controls.

The court heard police were not bringing criminal charges against anybody at the home, run by Independent Advocate Support Services.

But deputy coroner Graham Jackson recording a verdict of accidental death said the case had given him "cause for great concern."

He said: "It was a tragedy that could have been avoided if a different system of work had been in place.

"Carers have a specific vocation in life and in many ways are unsung heroes performing extremely difficult tasks,

"It's not for me to attribute blame but the lapse in leaving John alone for a few seconds set off a chain of events that had disastrous consequences."

John suffered from cerebral palsy and needed round the clock care. He died from aspirate pneumonia and burns.

Principle environmental health officer Sharon Smith said a suitable risk assessment hadn't been undertaken by the home before the accident.

Mixer valves have since been fitted to all hot water outlets, but the home could still face breaches under the Health and Safety at work regulations.

After the hearing Mr Dillon's family refused to comment on whether they would be taking legal action.