Bereaved mum hopes phone data could hold evidence

1 day ago

Beth Cruse,West of Englandand

Fiona Lamdin,West of England home and social affairs correspondent

News image — Ellen Roome's 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney died in April 2022

Family handout An image of a young boy with brown hair and his mum on his right with blonde hair and a white stripy jumper, both wearing aprons and smiling. — Ellen Roome's 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney died in April 2022

A mum who has been fighting for years to find out why her son took his own life said she is "hopeful" data from his phone which has been retained by police will provide answers.

Ellen Roome, from Cheltenham, believes her son Jools Sweeney, 14, died after an online challenge went wrong and his social media accounts could provide the evidence she needs, but she has been unable to access them.

Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed that data from Jules' devices has not been deleted. It is thought a forensic expert would still be needed to interpret the data.

"I feel a bit hopeful but worried, we're almost four years down the line, but that could hold a lot of evidence", Roome told the BBC.

In a statement, a police spokesperson said: "The original download of data from Julian's devices has been retained and will form part of the review".

In December Gloucestershire Police announced it will review an independent investigation into the case after Roome commissioned a private digital forensics company to look into his devices.

The force added: "A small team, led by an experienced investigator, has been put in place and their initial assessment is that this work will take approximately a month to complete, although could take longer depending on what any new enquiries reveal."

Family handout A woman with dark brown hair and a silver necklace is hugging her son, a young boy with brown hair who is smiling. — Ellen said she is desperate for answers about what happened to her son

Roome has been campaigning for legal reforms to give parents access to children's social media accounts after their death and was appointed an MBE for her work.

"I've tried for so long to understand why my special boy isn't here and I'm desperate to try and understand that", she said.

"No parent should ever have to fight this hard for answers over what happened to their child."

Police said they were committed to investigating any new lines of inquiry.

"Neither our previous investigation, or the inquest which followed, were able to explain the circumstances of Julian's death and we are open to pursuing any avenues which may provide his family with the answers they deserve," they said.

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