Inquest Carer is criticised as autistic man jumped to death after argument

A CORONER has criticised the conduct of a carer who argued with an autistic man hours before he died.

- Angus MCINTYRE

Jamie Cole, 25, a shop assistant who lived on Greville Road in Bedminster, 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".