East Lothian Courier | News | Pupils offered counselling after death of tragic Nicholas

Monday, 12th May, 2008

Published: Friday, 21st March, 2008 09:00

Pupils offered counselling after death of tragic Nicholas

COUNSELLING has been offered to grief-stricken pupils at St Gabriel’s Primary School, Prestonpans, following the death of 11-year-old Nicholas Woods.

The town’s Roman Catholic school has been stunned by the loss of the popular P7 pupil, who was found hanged in the garden of his family home on Saturday afternoon.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances. A force spokesman said: “We are investigating the death of an 11-year-old boy at a house in the Prestonpans area on Saturday afternoon. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”

Nicholas was the uncle of two-year-old methadone victim Derek Doran, who died in December 2005 after drinking his parents’ heroin substitute at their home in Elphinstone.

Tot Derek was found dead in his bed by his mother, Lisa Dodds, 27. She and the child’s father, Derek Doran senior, 24, who is the older brother of Nicholas Woods, initially faced murder charges, but the court action against the couple was later dropped.

Investigators concluded that little Derek had mistaken the green-coloured methadone for a soft drink.

Reports claimed Nicholas had come to the attention of police in Prestonpans last week, and he had been grounded by his parents as a consequence. As the shock of Nicholas’ death began to hit home, St Gabriel’s staff cancelled various school activities planned for this week as a mark of respect.

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council said: “Obviously, as this matter is currently being being dealt with by the police, we can’t really say anything about it.

“I can confirm, however, that a letter has been sent out to the parents by the school.”

The letter states: “Everyone at the school is deeply saddened at the death of one of our pupils. Out of respect and concern for Nicholas’ family, we are unable to give out any further information.

“The school is dealing with the matter and there is further ongoing support and expert advice for anyone who needs it.”

News of the tragedy has cast a cloud over the tight-knit Prestonpans community.

As Nicholas’ grieving parents, Derek and Katy, were being comforted by relatives, a friend of the family spoke of their disbelief at what had happened. “Nicholas was a lovely boy,” he said.

“He had an outgoing wee personality and no-one can take this in. It is shocking that a boy his age would do something like this.”

James Yule, chairman of Prestonpans Community Council said: “This news is just terrible. The wee lad’s mother and father are such nice people.

“My brother knew the kid. He was such a likeable wee laddie. My sympathy goes out to the family for their loss.”

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