The parents of a 12-year-old boy found hanged in his bedroom have released this picture of their son on his death bed to show school bullies who they claim tormented him: 'Look what you did.'
Dylan Stewart was found unconscious at home in Telford, Shropshire, in April this year by his mother Amanda.
The schoolboy was rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital but he died eight days later on April 30.
An inquest heard he died weeks after he was attacked by seven yobs from his school who picked on him at a bus stop.
Tragedy: Dylan Stewart's parents have released this picture of their son taken before his death and have blamed bullies for his attempt to hang himself
Dylan Stewart was found unconscious at home in Telford, Shropshire, in April this year by his mother Amanda, who claims his life was made a misery by other students at school
Despite reporting the assault to the police no one was arrested and the boys were allowed to remain at the school.
Today his devastated mother and father claimed Dylan had been persistently picked-on at Lakeside Academy School after he started at there in January this year.
Upset: Dylan's mother said his life was 'made hell' by bullies and police failed to take action after he was attacked in a bus stop outside school
Amanda, 39, believes he was often bullied because he was new at the school, having moved there from Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire.
Mrs Stewart added that Dylan was physically attacked on numerous occasions by youths who also branded him 'Downey' - a crude reference to Downs Syndrome, which he did not have.
Now in a message to the bullies who they claim 'made his life hell', Amanda Stewart released the image of Dylan unconscious in his hospital bed in the days after she found him hanged.
Amanda, who runs a hairdressing business, but is currently off sick after suffering a stroke, said she hoped the photograph would deter bullies in future.
She said: 'If it helps save one other child then we've achieved something. I don't want other parents to suffer like we have.
'Bullies need to know the impact their actions can have, it has had catastrophic consequences for our family and we want them to see what they have done.
'No parents should have to bury their own child, nothing can bring Dylan back- but we hope this sends a strong message.
'I felt he was depressed, but I thought initially it was because of what happened to me.
'Before he started school, he was outgoing, he was always on his bike but afterwards that changed and he became more withdrawn compared to what he used to be.
'Bullying did affect him, but he didn't say anything. It is rife at that school and other parents have contacted me to say thanks for raising the issue.
'He was a beautiful boy, he was so loving and we miss him every day. He lived for laughing. He was always laughing with me and the family.
'We were so close, he was such a loving boy'.
Bereft: Mrs Stewart, pictured her looking at Dylan's belongings, said today: 'He was a beautiful boy, he was so loving and we miss him every day. He lived for laughing. He was always laughing with me and the family'
The inquest heard Dylan was a model pupil at Lakeside Academy in Telford, which boasts a 'rigorous anti-bullying policy.'
Despite his family claiming bullying was a contributing factor, teachers told the hearing there was no allegation he was being bullied.
The hearing also heard that on the day of Dylan’s hanging a £5 note went missing from Mr Stewart’s wallet, and the parents had discussed whether he had taken it. Dylan said he found it behind a radiator.
Shropshire Coroner John Ellery last week recorded a narrative verdict that he hanged himself, but whether or not he intended to kill himself was unclear.
But Amanda and Robert - who are sure their son intended to take his own life - have now urged schools to take tougher action over bullying.
Robert, a chef, who is now a full-time carer for his wife, added: 'No child should be pushed to the point where they have to take their life because they feel that's the only way to escape.
'Schools also need to listen to pupils, there are a lot out there who are asking for help and they shouldn't be swept under the carpet.'
Lakeside Academy based in Stirchley, Shropshire, says it put in a number of measures to protect Dylan after he joined the school.
Barbara Williams, Lakeside Academy’s chair of governors, said: 'Lakeside has well established procedures for supporting young people at the school.
“We are very saddened by the tragic events surrounding Dylan Stewart. However I am confident that everything that could have been done by the school to support him was done.
'Lakeside Academy has an anti-bullying policy which includes generic sections for both staff and students.
'The section for students was put together by the students themselves.
'It is the nature of schools that bullying occurs from time to time but any incidents at Lakeside are dealt with very rapidly'.
In reference to the assault claims West Mercia Police said: 'From the description given it was a verbal attack rather than a physical one. His mother was happy that this was not a criminal matter and that the boys concerned with the incident were spoken to by police and advised regarding their conduct'.
DAILYMAIL.CO.UK
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