Boy refused to take medication
9:28am Thursday 20th July 2006 in News By Marcus Leroux
A 17-year-old diabetic found dead in his room had previously stopped taking insulin in order to be admitted to hospital, an inquest heard.
Scott Slipper was found dead in a hostel for homeless people in County Road on September 7, 2004.
The inquest finally came before Swindon coroner David Masters yesterday after delays caused by a social services serious case review.
Scott, pictured, ran away from his parents' home in Moredon in February 2004 after a violent argument.
Mr Slipper's parents were not in direct contact with him at the time of his death.
Scott stayed with his aunt Debbie Carroll after leaving his parents' home, but when she was unable to house him any longer he was taken into foster care.
In July 2004 his foster parents decided that they could no longer care for him, after he had stolen from them and suffered repeated diabetic attacks.
Scott's father Lance told the inquest of his difficulties in making sure Scott took his insulin and medication.
He said: "In 2003 he was expelled from school and then college and then lost his job. This was all related to him not taking his medication."
Mr Slipper added: "The more we tried to reason with him, the more he tried to rebel against us."
Mr Slipper explained how Scott would pretend to take his insulin, and how as a result it became impossible to know whether Scott had a safe blood sugar level.
In the months before his death Scott was admitted to hospital frequently, sometimes more than once a week.
Great Western Hospital diabetes consultant Dr Sahid Ahmed told the inquest that he received a letter from a colleague.
This stated: "When things get tough, Scott reacts by not taking his insulin and eating sweets and drinking Lucozade."
Dr Ahmed added: "Perhaps perpetuating this behaviour meant Scott could go to the children's ward, somewhere comforting and safe.
"I made it clear to him that some people die from it. The reality was he knew what he was doing."
Coroner David Masters asked Dr Ahmed if he thought Scott should have been sectioned to prevent him from harming himself.
Dr Ahmed replied: "We discussed many times how could we break this cycle. He was doing this of his own volition.
"He didn't have a suicidal air."
The inquest is scheduled to conclude today.
