Dead boy 'may have been bullied'

Pupils have been offered counselling to heal deal with their loss.

The family of a Gloucester teenager fear he may have taken his own life after being bullied.

Sam Leeson, 13, who wore black clothes and was a fan of "emo" music, was found hanged in his bedroom last week.

Family members said they feared he was being taunted on social networking sites because of his love of goth-style music.

More than 100 goodbye messages and dozens of floral tributes have been left at Severn Vale School.

'Excellent attitude'

The school's head teacher, Peter Rowland, said as far as he was aware he does not believe Sam was being abused by pupils there.

"He hadn't reported any bullying to us and his friends describe him as a happy smiling boy. He had an excellent attitude to his learning and was achieving well.

"But in any case bullying in any form is not tolerated at Severn Vale School and students confirmed this to Ofsted only last week that bullying is rare here and is dealt with appropriately if it does happen," Mr Rowland said.

Pupils at the school have been offered counselling to deal with the loss of their friend.

Detectives are continuing to work with Sam's parents and the school to try to find out what led to his death.

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