Dead man 'should have had help' (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Dead man 'should have had help'

THE father and the girlfriend of Nicholas Miles, who was found dead on the outskirts of Cirencester last week, have paid tribute to the "sadly missed" 25-year-old.

But Stephen Miles says the authorities should have done more to help his drug addict son, whose body was discovered in a field between Burford Road and London Road on Sunday, September 26.

Nicholas's girlfriend Laura Gardner said, despite his life of crime, he had a caring, humorous side and doted on her young daughter.

And Mr Miles is convinced Nicholas, who was known locally as Nick, would have turned out differently had he been given the right support.

Mr Miles said: "Nicholas was a much-loved member of a country village family but unfortunately he was led on to the wrong path.

"His life since the age of 16 has been spent in controlled environments and when he was released back into society I feel he had no help whatsoever.

"Unfortunately he lived life on the edge and didn't deserve to die in the circumstances he did."

Nick, who had one sister, was brought up in Bibury, initially attending the local village primary school and then going on to attend Cam House school in Cam, near Dursley.

Mr Miles said the death of his son, who had learning and behavioural difficulties, was a great shock to the family.

Nick's girlfriend Laura, aged 20, says she will "miss him like crazy." Laura, who lives in Victoria Road but is waiting to move into a new home, which she intended to share with Nick, said he had a good singing voice and enjoyed playing football.

She says she last saw him about a month ago and became concerned about his welfare when she couldn't get in touch with him.

She said: "I cried my eyes out - it still hasn't sunk in.

"He had a great sense of humour and he'd do anything for my daughter - he loved her to bits.

"People know about the things he did, but he got into the wrong crowd and was easily led.

"He will be really missed by his family and I will always be thinking about him."

Mr Miles added: "He will be sadly missed and I hope no other parent goes through the same problems we have, losing their child in such a tragic way."

Nicholas's body was discovered by two young schoolchildren close to a hedgerow.

Locals say he was known to visit addresses in the area where drug dealing activity is alleged to take place.

o A Cirencester man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter as part of an investigation into the death of Nicholas Miles.

Earlier this week a 21-year-old was arrested and taken to Stroud police station for questioning.

He was later released on police bail pending further inquiries and a 24-year-old local man, who was also arrested, was released without charge.

The cause of Nicholas's death remains unexplained and police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 0845 0901234 or 0800 555111.