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A homeless mother with a "heart of gold" has been found dead in the doorway of a city centre department store.

Members of Leeds’ rough sleeping community have been rocked by the death of a woman they named as Tasha, who used a wheelchair.



She died as she sheltered at the door of House of Fraser, on Briggate, a pedestrianised street.

Tasha, who was in her 50s and was also known by some on the streets as Sasha, was found dead sometime after 6am today.

Scott Hastings, who has been on the streets for two months, said: “She was a kind, big-hearted woman.

“She was a bit upset last night - she’s been bullied and taken advantage of on the streets.

"I was sat with her till the early hours of the morning giving her some courage.



(Image: Ben Lack Photography Ltd)

“This morning we walked over and saw Scouse (a rough sleeper) freaking out in the corner.

“He said ‘she’s dead’. Someone else went over to feel her pulse and said she had died.

“It’s so terrible.”

Another woman, who was in tears, said: “I loved her to bits. Tasha wouldn’t hurt a fly. She had a heart of gold and loved her kids.

“I was only chatting to her last night. She was sat in her wheelchair.”

West Yorkshire Police were called at 7.42am by the ambulance service.

Forensics officers are currently on the scene of the tragedy and the front entrance of House of Fraser has been cordoned off and a tent placed over Tasha.

There are signs in the window asking people to use the back entrance.

Several people said Tasha, who is believed to have a daughter, was from Bradford.

One man, a well known 38-year-old man in the rough sleeping community, said: “She had a house there but she felt isolated. She should have had a house in Leeds.

“I last saw her at about 4am when I got a cig off her. We were sleeping out without tents last night - it was not that cold.

“She was very well known. Everybody loved her.

“People did take advantage of her. She got bullied.

“It’s just so cold and horrible out here.”

A West Yorkshire Police statement said: "At 7:42am today, police were contacted by the ambulance service who were attending an incident in Briggate, Leeds city centre, where a woman had been found unconscious and unresponsive.

"The woman, who is believed to have been sleeping rough, was pronounced dead at the scene."

