'He should still be with us,' bereaved mum says

The mother of an autistic man who died after falling from a balcony in Tenerife said she hopes his inquest will remind care companies of their responsibilities.

Jamie Cole, 25, from Weston-super-Mare, was accompanied on holiday by carer Lousha Rees who worked for private care company Lifestyle, also known as Accomplish.

Coroner Dr Peter Harrowing said on Monday that Ms Rees had behaved "inappropriately" prior to Mr Cole's death but he did not believe her actions amounted to gross misconduct.

Mr Cole's mum, Martine, said after the inquest: "I will never fully understand how my son went on holiday happy and healthy but never came home."

The court heard that on 14 January 2023, Mr Cole and Ms Rees had met to go for dinner at a restaurant where he became upset because Ms Rees wanted the "most expensive meal" on the menu which he said he was not prepared to pay for.

Mr Cole left the restaurant before Ms Rees texted him saying she was unwilling to support him when he was "acting like a 12-year-old".

Martine Cole said that Jamie was "the most joyful, bubbly person you can know".

"His autism meant he could easily become upset but the triggers that presented a risk to his well-being were well known to those who supported him," she added.

Following his death, Martine Cole was told about the final message he sent to Laura Warrant, a manager from the care company.

He said: "I'm going to jump now.

"You can tell everyone I love them, especially my mum."

The inquest heard Ms Warrant had responded by telling him to "stop being silly".

Ms Cole said: "I can only hope that the inquest into Jamie's death has reminded care companies of their very grave responsibility towards those they chaperone.

"We have lost our precious Jamie forever but I believe he should still be with us."

Claire Hann, Martine's solicitor, added: "I echo Martine's wish that care companies take a fresh look at their serious responsibility towards their clients."

In a statement, care company Accomplish said the safety of their clients is their priority and a responsibility they "take very seriously".

"Colleagues are expected to provide the very highest standards of support and to behave professionally at all times," the statement continues.

"We have conducted a thorough internal review and implemented changes informed by its learnings.

"Jamie was a young man who was held in extremely high regard and was so very well liked. He remains deeply missed by all who knew him."

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