NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
    • Cooking the Books
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / World

Vegan schoolboy, 12, killed himself after bullies threw meat at him

By Lara Keay
Daily Mail·
29 Sep, 2017 07:18 PM6 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Louie Tom Fenton (pictured left) was found dead in the bathroom at home in Waterford, Hertfordshire in January this year. Photo / Supplied

Louie Tom Fenton (pictured left) was found dead in the bathroom at home in Waterford, Hertfordshire in January this year. Photo / Supplied

A 12-year-old vegan schoolboy killed himself after bullies threw pieces of meat at him, an inquest heard.

Louie Tom Fenton was pronounced dead after he was found dead at his home in Waterford, Hertfordshire on January 19, the Daily Mail reports.

Hertfordshire Coroner's Court heard yesterday how Louie was bullied for his decision to go vegan at Richard Hale School, Hertford.

In a letter read out in court, his mother, Catherine Fenton, said: "He had been bullied regularly since he arrived at Richard Hale School.

"He had regular appointments with the counsellor and he started self harming.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"They threw meat at him in the canteen because he was a vegan."

The court heard how he would have to go outside at lunchtimes to avoid the bullies and had started smoking heavily as a way of coping with the torment.

Despite his mother approaching the school several times, the bullying continued, she claimed.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The inquest heard there was no evidence that Louie had intended to kill himself, and that there was no suicide note found.

His father Graeme wrote to the coroner, telling him he did not believe his son meant to take his own life and was just "messing around".

Louie was a member of the Hertford Sea Scouts, learning how to tie all the knots and knowing all their names.

Following his death his family set up a Justgiving page to raise money for the Sea Life Trust in his memory.

Discover more

Lifestyle

How to deal with the a**hole in your life

01 Oct 01:20 AM

The page, which has collected £1,759.97 so far, reads: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Louie Tom Fenton who passed away on 19 January 2017.

"He loved the sea and was deeply committed to conservation, the environment and sea life.

"Instead of flowers for his memorial service, we know he would have preferred a contribution to this charity."

Richard Hale School gave no evidence at yesterday's hearing, but police notes from an interview with head teacher Stephen Neate were read out.

The notes confirmed Louie was a heavy smoker and hung around with older children.

Mrs Fenton added: "I never had the feeling that Louie was so depressed that he wanted to die."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Coroner for Hertfordshire, Geoffrey Sullivan, said he would write to the school to ensure their policies for dealing with bullying and self harming were up to date.

He said: "Given what you have said I shall write to the head teacher at the school to ask if policies are in place and up to date in respect of pupils who experience bullying and do self harm."

Stephen Neate, Headmaster at Richard Hale School, told MailOnline the school was aware Louie was being bullied, but the meat-throwing incident was not reported to them by him or his family.

He said: "The whole school community was deeply shocked by the death of Louie Fenton in January 2017. Our feelings are, and have always been, with his family.

"We remembered Louie through assemblies at school and in prayers with the whole school at St Pauls Cathedral. Students who have been affected by his unexpected death have been supported.

"We were aware of concerns about Louie being unhappy at school and we were actively engaged with him and his family to address these issues.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"However, at no time were we made aware of the incident in which meat was allegedly thrown at Louie.

"This was never reported to the school by Louie or his mother, has not been substantiated by any member of staff at school or by any of Louie's friends in Year 9."

Mr Neate added the school is renewing its policies to make sure "lessons are learnt" from Louie's death.

He said: "The safety, happiness and wellbeing of all pupils at Richard Hale is of paramount importance and the school prides itself on its pastoral care, which has been recognised in our most recent Ofsted report.

"We annually review our anti-bullying policy and advice on bullying, plus the school's response to it, is displayed in every classroom.

"We will now review our procedures, ensuring that all agencies who worked with Louie and his family, both inside and outside the school, learn any lessons from this tragic case."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Louie was due to go on a school ski trip in the weeks after his death.

His mother and father said he was excited about the holiday and had discussed who he wanted to share a room with.

Paying tribute to him, a statement from the Fenton family read: "Louie was a wonderful boy, much loved by family and friends alike.

"He had wide ranging interests and was very passionate about them.

"In some ways, he had wisdom and concerns way beyond his years, and in other ways he was a mischievous, enthusiastic boy to whom the world offered the opportunity of discovery and adventure.

"Louie had a wonderful sense of humour and an infectious giggle.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"On the day he died he had appeared excited by gifts he had received in the post, he mentioned a couple of issues at school but did not appear unduly troubled.

"We feel his loss deeply, he made our lives better by being with us. He still had so much to offer."

Commenting on an online memorial page, friend Joey Green said: "I was so sad to hear about Louie. I have lots of fun memories of him when we were little at Millmead.

"I remember at the park you taught me to swing on a swing.

"At lunch times we would meet by the toad stalls and chat, climb trees and laugh. I will always remember you like this.

"My thoughts are with your friends and family. You will be missed X"

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

His aunt Lucy Roper said: "My lovely little Lou, I am going to miss you big time!

"We had so many in-depth conversations about life - our love of sharks and the fact that they get a rough deal from most and should be appreciated more.

"I could write for hours as you were such a character and there are many many lovely and funny stories to tell and remember you by.

"I'll never forget you Louie.

"Always in my heart xox"

Mr Sullivan gave an open verdict at the conclusion of the inquest, ruling that he was not convinced that Louie meant to kill himself.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

WHERE TO GET HELP:

If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call 111.

If you need to talk to someone, the following free helplines operate 24/7:

DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757
LIFELINE: 0800 543 354
NEED TO TALK? Call or text 1737
SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666
YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633 or text 234

There are lots of places to get support. For others, click here.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from World

World

Ukraine launches massive drone attack on Russia, 296 shot down

28 May 07:27 AM
World

‘No sign of respite’: Climate report warns of economic, environmental impact

28 May 06:48 AM
World

'Very dangerous': North Korea's strong rebuke of US defence plan

28 May 05:16 AM

Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from World

Ukraine launches massive drone attack on Russia, 296 shot down

Ukraine launches massive drone attack on Russia, 296 shot down

28 May 07:27 AM

Of those, officials say 42 drones were shot down over the Moscow region.

‘No sign of respite’: Climate report warns of economic, environmental impact

‘No sign of respite’: Climate report warns of economic, environmental impact

28 May 06:48 AM
'Very dangerous': North Korea's strong rebuke of US defence plan

'Very dangerous': North Korea's strong rebuke of US defence plan

28 May 05:16 AM
Premium
How a day of football celebrations turned to chaos in Liverpool

How a day of football celebrations turned to chaos in Liverpool

28 May 05:00 AM
Explore the hidden gems of NSW
sponsored

Explore the hidden gems of NSW

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP