Carer criticised for conduct prior to death of autistic man
25 year old Jamie Cole from Bristol jumped off a balcony in Tenerife in January 2023
A coroner has criticised the conduct of a carer who argued with an autistic man hours before he died.
Jamie Cole, 25, from Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Tenerife following a row with his carer.
Avon Coroner's Court heard Mr Cole, who was autistic and had a history of suicidal ideation, had been accompanied on the holiday by Lousha Rees, who was employed by the private care company Lifestyle (also known as Accomplish).
Area coroner Dr Peter Harrowing said Ms Rees had behaved "inappropriately" prior to his death but did not believe there had been gross misconduct.
On the evening of January 14 2023, the two 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.
The inquest heard 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" and describing him as having been "totally inappropriate".
Ms Rees told the court in a written statement that Mr Cole had been addressing her as his girlfriend at the restaurant, which had made her uncomfortable.
The court heard Ms Rees had knocked on Mr Cole's hotel room door later that evening and he had told her he was "fine".
Following his death, Mr Cole's mother, Martine, discovered the final message he sent to a manager from the care company, Laura Warrant.
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" and advising he "get some rest".
Mr Cole was found dead that evening, having suffered multiple injuries consistent with a fall from his fifth-floor balcony.
Ms Rees did not know Mr Cole had died until the following morning, when the hotel manager informed her there had been an "awful accident" the previous night.
Area coroner Dr Peter Harrowing said: "His family tell me he led an active life and was independent with support ... He was an extremely anxious young man and would need a lot of reassurance throughout his daily life.
"His moods would change quickly and he did have a history of suicidal ideation."
He added: "I do not consider there was a real or immediate risk to Jamie's life that was known or should have been known to Lifestyle.
"Whilst I find on the face of it why there was no reason why he should not go on holiday to Tenerife accompanied by the support worker I do find that the risk assessment process was deficient.
"The policy of Lifestyle was not followed, it was completed at short notice ... Nor did it properly consider all of Jamie's underlying mental health conditions."
Dr Harrowing said he found Ms Rees's response to Jamie, especially in the restaurant, had been "inappropriate".
"I find also the response of Laura Warrant in her contact with Jamie probably served to aggravate the situation," he added.
However, the coroner said he did not believe there had been "gross failures".
Mr Cole died as a result of injuries sustained by jumping from a balcony from the fifth floor of his hotel room.
"His intention in so doing has not been established," the coroner said.
The court heard Lifestyle has since implemented an improvement plan and Dr Harrowing said he was "satisfied" the company had "addressed the issues raised in this matter".
In a statement read by her solicitors, Leigh Day, Martine Cole said: "My Jamie was the most joyful, bubbly person you could know.
"He was open and honest, loving and kind, he was a precious, most loved member of our family.
"His autism meant he could easily become upset, but the triggers that presented a risk to his wellbeing were well documented and well known to those who supported him.
"I'm grateful to the coroner for taking two days to examine what happened to Jamie before he lost his life when he was on holiday in Tenerife in the company of a carer.
"However, I will never fully understand how my son went on holiday, happy and healthy, but never came home.
"I can only hope that the inquest into Jamie's death has reminded care companies of their very grave responsibility towards those individuals they chaperone and to also take huge care over support plans and risk assessments.
"We have lost our precious Jamie forever, but I believe he should still be with us."