The parents of a 17-year-old boy from Stockport who killed himself after he was arrested for drink-driving want a change in the law.
Joe Lawton was kept overnight at a police station without his parents' knowledge.
Parents call for law change after teen killed himself
The parents of a teenager who killed himself after being arrested are calling for a change in the law on young people held in custody.
Nick and Jane Lawton's son Joe committed suicide two days after he was arrested for drink driving last August.
Joe Lawton
They delivered a petition to Downing Street yesterday containing more than 52,000 signatures, urging the Government to address the "anomaly" that 17-year-olds are treated as adults when arrested but as children if they are charged.
Over 40 thousand people have signed an online petition set up by a couple from Stockport calling for 17 year olds to be treated as children when arrested by police.
Joe Lawton
Joe Lawton killed himself 2 days after being arrested for drink driving. His parents say he'd still be alive if they'd been called and able to offer him guidance and support.
The parents of a 17-year-old boy from Stockport who took his own life after he was arrested for drink-driving want a change in the law.
Joe Lawton was kept overnight at a police station without his parents' knowledge.
Two days later he shot himself.
Now his parents, Nick and Jane Lawton, want the Government to change the law so 17-year-olds are treated as children in custody.
Last month the High Court was told 17-year-olds suspected of crime are wrongly being treated as adults and losing vital protection when they're arrested.
