The family of a 14-year-old boy who died in a police pursuit have said ‘losing Leo has been a living hell’.
Leo Ryan Gradwell died after he crashed a stolen Fiat 500 hatchback which collided with a Kia Sportage SUV — and then a Renault Clio — on Asthon Road in Golborne. He was one of three teens in the car, which was taken in an armed robbery the day before.
Last week, an inquest into his death confirmed that one of the occupants ‘filmed’ the pursuing police car, which engaged in a ‘lawful’ chase. It was also said that Leo was not involved in the robbery of the Fiat.
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Leo died on October 11, 2019, in Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. The teen, from Platt Bridge, was taken there from Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, following the smash.
His cause of death was ‘unsurvivable’ head injuries, which led to doctors switching off life support. Now, his mum Kirsty and older sister Alishia have spoken of the pain of their loss, as their loved one should have turned 18 in the last few days.
The pair each have penned an emotional tribute to their son and brother, which the Manchester Evening News is choosing to publish in full below.
“Losing Leo has been a living hell, it’s a torture I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy” — mum Kirsty
"Leo was always a happy, cheeky boy growing up, with an infectious personality and smile. He always had a way to brighten up your day. Leo was always loving to his brother and sisters; he was such a caring boy. He always said he loved me, even in front of his friends, or after asking for some money.
"His friendship group will never be the same; his friends miss him daily. Always making everyone laugh, he never failed to cheer up your day. Even if he was being a pain at times, he was still hilarious, and you had to turn your head to hide a smile.
"Losing Leo has been a living hell, it’s a torture I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Going through every stage, each one as painful as the last, and I can’t seem to wake up from this nightmare. No child deserves to leave us.
"Everyone makes mistakes and we live and learn, but Leo never got that chance. I am glad that we were finally able to clear Leo’s name, that he didn’t steal the car and that Leo never had a criminal record. Yes, Leo made a mistake, but Leo should have been able to live and learn. It saddens me to hear some bad comments about Leo; no one knew Leo like I did, like his sisters and brother, friends, and our community did.
"My nan once taught me if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. If only that was the case with others. Who is any better? I think we should all have a think about how words can affect everyone, affect people’s mental health, we need to remember that we all come into this world and then leave this earth, no one is better than anyone.
"The whole experience and build up to the inquest has been exhausting, years waiting for answers. All of Leo’s loved ones are affected by the loss of Leo. It’s too quiet. We miss his funny, caring ways. We will always have our precious memories of Leo and they are ours, and no one can touch them. We know the real Leo, a fourteen-year-old boy, who is missed so much our hearts are forever broken.
"It has just been Leo’s birthday, and he should have been celebrating his 18th birthday with me and his brother and sisters. He should have had a job now with bikes. He loved them ever since he was little, and he used to ride around making bike noises on a peddle bike, doing wheelies.
"He should have had a good birthday party with his friends, who still always talk about him and check up on how we are all doing. They made a promise to Leo, and they kept it. They are all good kids with hearts of gold, like my Leo. Many of Leo’s friends who have since had children have used Leo’s name for their babies’ middle names in his memory, and in this way Leo’s name lives on.
"Instead, we were at his grave; I couldn’t even keep my emotions in from the other kids, sat on the grass in front of Leo, a crying mess stuck in a nightmare. I even bought two plots, one for Leo and one for me. But my mum passed just over a year after Leo, so she is next to him now. She said before she went that Leo was sat on her coffee table waiting for her. I guess that gave us some sort of peace that Leo wasn’t going to be alone anymore, and my mum would be with him. I bet that they are having a right laugh up there together.
"I could write a book on Leo with the amount of hilarious things he said and did. Leo leaves behind his big sister Alishia – the banter they had was so funny. He would torment the life out of her to get his own way, and she always gave in. We wish that he got to see his little niece, so comical with her cheeky smile, our beautiful girl. Uncle Leo would have loved her to bits. Leo’s younger brother and sister talk about Leo all the time, they miss Leo so much. We all talk about Leo all the time.
"Leo didn’t deserve to die so young, and not the way he did. It was torture to watch him suffer the way he did. I am forever haunted every day and night by watching my baby die, reliving that day and the weeks after, watching my baby deteriorate in the chapel of rest for four weeks, but not wanting to leave him, all his loved ones around him – oh, how I wish I could see him again.
"Sometimes I do in a dream, but then I wake up and remember, and I break, or I have nightmares when I finally get to sleep again. My other three children’s mental health has been affected by what has happened; Leo was a big part of our lives. We will always talk about him, the good times, and bad times. He was ours, and we love him unconditionally.
"The pain of losing your child is unbearable. I have never felt as much pain in my life. This first time I saw Leo and held him my heart melted; it was pure love. As a parent, it is unbearable knowing I can’t fix it. Mum can’t make it better; I have no control. All I want is my baby back. If I could give my last breath, I would give it to our Leo. If I could have him back, it would be just the way he was, I wouldn’t change him for the world. Forever my baby, my Leo the Lion.
"I can’t thank everyone enough who helped towards Leo’s funeral and supported the family, everyone who came to say their goodbyes at Manchester Hospital, and at the chapel of rest. We would also like to thank the Coroner Mr Timothy Brennand, the off-duty nurse Susan Lane who came to Leo’s aid, all the medical staff who worked to help all three of the boys involved in the accident, and the jury for taking time out of their lives and for having to sit and listen to and watch what was shown in the inquest, which can’t have been easy. I would also like thank my legal team Mass Ndow-Njie and Charlotte Halsted for all their help and support."
“I miss my little brother more than words can describe” - older sister Alishia
"I would like to start by thanking Susan Lane, emergency services and hospital staff for all their efforts in trying to save my brother’s life. Leo was a good kid; he was always smiling and telling his funny stories and would always help anyone that he could. He always wore his heart on his sleeve and was such a character to be around.
"I am glad that the inquest is over now, as it’s been a long, hard three years. The outcome wasn’t what we hoped for, however, I am happy that Leo did not steal the vehicle, it is out for the public to know, and some questions have been answered. Everyone has their own opinions and views, and I respect that, and in no way am I condoning what my brother did.
"He was wrong, but he didn’t deserve to die. No one is perfect: we all make decisions and choices that we are not proud of, but he wasn’t what he has been made out to be by some. He was just a daft, fourteen-year-old boy who made a very silly decision and paid the ultimate price for it.
"I miss my little brother more than words can describe, and the day he left a piece of me left with him. I will never forget that day, it will be with me the rest of my life. I just hope now that maybe people take into consideration all of the facts before judging something or someone, and maybe try to think of the family’s feelings.
"I would like to thank the Coroner Timothy Brennand and the members of the jury for taking time out of their lives for my brother’s inquest. I take comfort in my questions being answered after a long wait."
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