The grieving family of an Oxford man who endured months of abuse before he died want to highlight antisocial behaviour on a city estate.

Michael Penny, 55, died of heart failure at the beginning of this month. His relatives say they will never know if the health problems that led to his death were brought on by the vandalism and harassment.

John Penny with a photo of his brother Michael Mr Penny, who was single, had lived at his home in Rivermead Road, Rose Hill, with his mum and dad all his life.

Both of his parents died within two years and the problems started when he was left alone in the three-bedroom house.

Two months before his death, Mr Penny, a labourer at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, was moved into a new Oxford Citizens Housing Association flat, off Woodstock Road, in north Oxford.

His brother, Roger, 61, of Cherry Close, Kidlington, said: "Prior to his move he was absolutely terrified to stay in the house.

"He never went upstairs to bed for fear of the house being set alight by hooligans."

Michael's twin brother, John, said: "Michael was a single man, living on his own and for some reason he was picked on.

"He was a very quiet, inoffensive man, who never had a bad word for anyone.

"We got him moved into the OCHA flat, and he was very happy there, but sadly he was only there six weeks before he was taken ill.

"When he was in hospital he said he was glad he didn't have to go back to Rose Hill. We are convinced what happened affected his health."

John praised Oxford City Council for the speed with which repairs were carried out at Rose Hill. He said: "Whenever windows were broken someone came within 24 hours."

Mr Penny's front door was damaged and his hedge was set on fire and front window smashed. In January this year, bricks were used to smash two windows.

In early February, just before Mr Penny moved house, children knocked at his door demanding £25 for gardening work that he had not asked them to do. They returned, first demanding £100 and later £250 for the work.

Mr Penny's brothers waited at the house with police for the children to knock again but the culprits never showed up.

Roger Penny said: "He was getting very withdrawn but we were unaware of just what he was going through.

"It was only when his heart problems started that we realised how much it affected him."