16-year-old boy killed himself after being ‘relentlessly’ bullied for being gay, an inquest heard
Cameron Warwick was found dead after not turning up to college
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
A 16-year-old boy killed himself after being ‘relentlessly’ bullied for being gay, an inquest has heard.
Cameron Warwick, from Fareham, Hampshire, had autism and struggled with depression and at the age of 12, he came out as gay to his mother, the MailOnline reported.
His mother, Kerry Warwick, claimed other pupils at his school began bullying him and three food at him during lunch breaks, which led to her son to begin to self-harm.
She also claimed the bullies would trip him up in the corridors and called him names like ‘autistic fuck’.
Kerry said: “They would bully him and isolate him.
“They would throw things like food at him, trip him up in the corridor, and call him horrible names like ”autistic fuck’.
“The bullies would prey on the fact he was gay. He was ostracised, with pupils refusing to sit with him and calling him names.
“By Year 10, he had resigned himself to the bullying.”
Before his death, Cameron also saw his online relationship with Christopher Robertson, 18, also breakdown, the inquest reported.
In a statement, Christopher said: “I believe Cameron was relentlessly bullied at school by other students for coming out as gay.”
On September 4, Cameron was found dead in Fort Fareham Woods having not turned up to college that day.
Coroner Jason Pegg recorded a verdict of suicide at Portsmouth Coroner’s Court.
He said: “Cameron had this background of autism – which resulted in bullying at times. Not only did he take his own life, he intended to do so.”
Cameron’s mother and father, Alan, paid tribute to their son and said in a statement: “Cameron was a much-loved, gentle and kind young man.
“His illnesses made it impossible for him to continue to live in a world which he did not understand, and one which made little effort to understand him.
“We miss him with all of our hearts, and would urge others to be compassionate to other people’s vulnerabilities, or to share their own and seek help to avoid other such tragedies.”
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.