Huntmaster’s son found dying at school ‘ killed himself over bully torment’
A TEENAGER who was allegedly being bullied over his learning difficulties was found dying during his school lunchbreak, it emerged yesterday.
Bradley John, 14, was found unconscious at school on Wednesday and died in hospital shortly afterwards.
Friends of the talented young huntsman said he had been tormented by bullies because he suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Around 20 distraught pupils had to be picked up from St John Lloyd Catholic Comprehensive School in Llanelli, Wales, immediately after the tragedy at midday, one father claimed yesterday.
In an emotional tribute last night, Bradley’s father Byron John, a huntsman and former Master of the Carmarthenshire Hunt, said: ‘We as a family are devastated to lose Bradley. He was such a charismatic, wonderful and dearly loved individual. He was an accomplished horse rider and founding member of the Three Counties Bloodhounds, who hunt the scent of a human runner. Bradley was the absolute centre of our world.
‘We would like to thank everyone for their support at this horrific time. It has meant so much to the whole family.’ The school has 500 students which also include Bradley’s younger sister Danielle.
Although his death is not being treated as suspicious, police and education chiefs are investigating claims the ‘ kind and caring’ schoolboy took his own life because he was being bullied.
Writing on Facebook, family friend Ashley Thomas, 27, said: ‘In the last 24 hours I’ve learned that a very close family to me has had their world turned upside down.
‘Their young lad Bradley had sadly taken his own life because of school bullying. This is not OK.’ Another friend wrote on social media: ‘ Bradley had diagnosed ADHD and was terribly bullied as a direct result of the presentation of his neurodevelopmental condition.’ Family friend Rhian Jones added: ‘There is absolutely no excuse for bullying. Bradley was such a sweet, kind-hearted boy with a huge love for horses. Life and people can be so cruel sometimes.’
A pupil from the school posted a photograph of Bradley to the site next to a ‘Stop Bullying’ slogan. The teenager’s father has a smallholding five miles from the school at Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, where his children have their own horses. Mr John, 53, was Master of the Carmarthenshire Hunt until fox hunting was banned in the UK. He now runs a ‘Clean Boot Hunt’ in West Wales, which is recreational and cruelty free. Teachers and children at the school are being offered counselling to help them come to terms with the tragedy. The headmaster announced Bradley’s death in an emotional assembly yesterday. Rob Evans, independent councillor for the Dafen Ward of Carmarthenshire County Council, said: ‘It’s a tragedy – my thoughts are with the pupils and teachers who were with him. My sincere and deepest thoughts also go to the family – it’s beyond belief.’
Inspector Chris Neve, of DyfedPowys Police, said: ‘ Bradley’s death has shaken the local community and on behalf of DyfedPowys Police I offer my deepest sympathy to his family. ‘We are following-up all possible lines of enquiry to establish a picture of what happened in the leadup to Bradley’s death. Specially
trained officers are supporting the family at this tragic time and working with the school to support his peers.’ Friends described Bradley as a keen huntsman who loved to blow a hunting horn. They are now organising a local anti-bullying campaign called Blow for Bradley. Bradley’s stepmother, Kate Pickard, a leading horsewoman, is creating a memory box for him with a lock of his hair and his handprints. In an official statement the school said teachers became ‘concerned for the wellbeing of a pupil’ at midday on Wednesday. They gave first aid until an ambulance and police cars arrived at the scene. Police are preparing a file for the local coroner.
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