Mother calls for tight controls on aerosols (From Stroud News and Journal)

Mother calls for tight controls on aerosols

GRIEVING mother Cally Hudson is demanding tighter controls on sales of spray deodorants after her son - a bright, affectionate teenager - died from abusing aerosols.

The former nurse also wants a crackdown on the internet after an inquest heard Archway School pupil Kieran Hudson had accessed websites with information on suicide before he died.

Although Kieran had been visiting these sites for several months, the coroner ruled he had not intended to take his own life and recorded an open verdict on the death.

Speaking after the hearing, Mrs Hudson, 44, who found her son's body on the sofa of the family's Rodborough home in May, called for drastic measures to prevent similar tragedies.

"These sprays should not be sold to under-18s, just like lighter fluid," she said. "They are aimed at teenagers and there are no manly roll-ons. Perhaps the deodorant companies need approaching."

"What I would also like to come out of Kieran's death is for something to be done to stop these sites. Parents need to be more aware of what their children can access on the web.

"An important factor leading to his death was his fascination with sites giving instructions for dangerous activities, such as the one that brought about his death.

"We had no idea Kieran was looking at these sites. Every parent should have net-nanny software. We didn't and I have to live with that."

"It's such a waste, Kieran was such an incredibly intelligent, family loving boy."

Mrs Hudson firmly believes that Kieran - who had a sister Samantha 20 and brother Kelan, 10, - did not intend to end his life on May 22. He did not leave a note and had asked to be taken to see the new Star Wars film that day.

"He was happy for a fortnight before he died and I know suicide was not his intent that day. Kieran had an intriguing mind and like so many people did he not appreciate the dangers inherent in experimentation."

Coroner Alan Crickmore also condemned such sites - many of which are couched in black humour - during Wednesday's hearing in Gloucester. "I was surprised and dismayed by the levity demonstrated by some of the references - a levity that is probably unhelpful to teenagers who are perhaps keen on experimenting with drugs," he said.

He pointed out that forensic computer evidence showed Kieran had last accessed these sites just a week before his death. Kieran's family are now trying to rebuild their life.

Kieran - who was doing well at school and particularly enjoyed the sciences - had recently started learning the piano - was especially close to his younger brother. "Kelan is lost without him," said Mrs Hudson.

"Kieran was a gentle giant, very patient with younger children. When he little we asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up and he said a daddy. He would have made a terrific father."