Police used racist code word for dying teenager, family say

[ad_1]

Sign up for our free bi-monthly newsletter from The Independent racing correspondent Nadine WhiteSign up for our free bi-monthly newsletter The Race Report

A password used by police to allow the family access to their dying teenage relative in hospital was racist, his mother has alleged.

Sheldon Lewcock, 19, was hit by a van in Tilehurst, Reading in August 2022.

Police gave his mother, Angela Lewcock, the banana password to use when visiting her son, who was mixed race, at the hospital. The Thames Valley Police Professional Standards Department is currently investigating the use of this word.

Sheldon Lewcock died five days after the accident. His mother told the BBC he was affectionately known as Shelly, describing his stunning personality and wicked sense of humour.

He had a heart of gold, wouldn’t hurt anyone, always on his bike, they rode Sulham Woods a lot because they did hidden ramps. That’s where they were that day, Angela Lewcock noted.

Mr Lewcock was riding an e-bike on Pierces Hill when he was involved in a collision with a van on August 4, 2022. He managed to call his mother, calling her several times. As he faced her, she discovered that his face was covered in blood.

Ms Lewcock rushed to the scene, holding his hand as paramedics attended to him. He was then airlifted to hospital and placed in an induced coma.

The special password the family received allowed them access to Sheldon’s room. To visit my son he had a password, which was banana, which I didn’t really think about at the time and only after realizing it was probably a racist comment . It’s disgusting, she told the BBC.

Following his death, a murder investigation was opened but quickly closed on August 17, 2022. Three men and a boy were acquitted of all charges.

An investigation was opened but did not lead to a cause of death. It was adjourned for further investigation, with Sheldon’s mother frustrated by police inaction.

On January 15, more than 100 of Sheldon’s family and friends protested in Forbury Gardens public park in Reading before heading to the police station. It remained peaceful, with protesters carrying banners reading headlines like Justice for Sheldon and Shellys world.

In a statement, Thames Valley Police said: ‘We are investigating the password that was used at the hospital. This has been forwarded to our Professional Standards Department.’

[ad_2]