A teenage boy was found hanged in his bedroom by his mother, who claims naked images of him were shared online, before trolls taunted him through his Xbox.

Joel Crockett, 19, was found dead in April this year by mum Ruth, 52, who flagged down a passing car for help.

Ruth claims college student Joel, who had Asperger’s syndrome and learning difficulties, was blackmailed and taunted relentlessly through his Xbox after inappropriate images of him were circulated online in November last year.

Mum-of-four Ruth said: "Joel was bullied to death, yet bullying isn't a crime.

"Joel was vulnerable. He was conned and bullied into buying games, he set up overdrafts and credit cards, just things that were really out of character for him that would play on his mind.

Ruth Crockett holding picture of son Joel

"I went into the bedroom one day and Joel said a boy from school was sharing naked photos, but he said they weren’t of him and I didn’t need to worry.

"It turned out they were, but he seemed to be able to deal with it.

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"Three days before he passed away, I heard him being taunted through the Xbox, been called names like 'c**t'.

"Towards the end, I noticed signs of low mood, but never did I think he would kill himself. He was quieter than usual and he was sleeping a lot.

"The day before he did what he did, we went to see a friend who'd just had a baby, it was a time of celebration and he was just down but that week he'd started going to the gym, like he was ready to pull himself together again.

"I would have run to the end of the earth and back to protect him, I would have gone straight to the police if I knew how bad it had become for Joel."

Ruth, from Liverpool, said that three days before Joel’s death, he asked her for a ‘lump sum of money’, but she refused.

She said she believes he may have been blackmailed over the photos online and via his Xbox.

Joel Crockett

"He never told me what it was for, looking back now I think maybe he was being blackmailed for this photos," Ruth said.

"We were going to Spain in a few weeks so I said no. Looking back, I should have just given Joel the money."

Joel had been making plans to study sports science at college this September after quitting a drama course in November last year.

Since his death, Ruth has suffered with PTSD, and has been forced to quit her job as a carer and move in with her mother, Therese, after she was left with a 'gaping hole' in her life.

She said: “I’ve been on medication. The trauma is horrendous. He was the only dependent I had left with me.

“It has tipped my life upside down. The loss of him is just horrific but hopefully I’ll get justice, that’s all I’m praying for now.

"He was a beautiful character, he wouldn’t harm a fly. He wanted to be loved and he was, he didn’t realise how loved he was but he was adored.

Joel Crockett

“Everywhere he went he made an impact on people’s lives.

“He had Asperger’s and learning difficulties, but he was so approachable. He was full of love. He was innocent and pure, he wasn’t streetwise, he was sheltered.

“He loved football, Liverpool was his passion. He loved drama, he was a talented actor and he was very handsome.

"He was popular but he didn’t know it, people would tell him he was handsome but he never took it on board."

Ruth now hopes the law will be changed so that evidence is easier to obtain if someone is abused over a games console.

Joel Crockett with his gran

She said: "Anyone can come into your game and pull you apart and there is absolutely no evidence so they get away with it.

"Someone can make you feel horrible and there's absolutely no way to prove it.

"Death by suicide rips your heart out. I just wanted Joel to be happy, if he laughed, if he smiled, I was happy."

An inquest into Joel's death was opened and adjourned earlier this year, with the full inquest set to take place this November.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “A man was arrested on suspicion of sharing material with intent to cause distress following allegations material was shared during 2018.

"An 18-year-old man from Croxteth was arrested on July 9 and questioned. He has been released under investigation and enquiries are continuing.”

An NSPCC spokesman said: “This week, we read with great sadness about the death of Joel Crockett, which his mother said followed days of online bullying and blackmail.

“That this vulnerable young man’s life was cut so tragically short is horrific. Although the circumstances around the allegations are the subject of an ongoing police investigation, they highlight the dangers faced by children and young people every time they log into social media.

“The NSPCC has long called for the introduction of improved legislation and regulation of social media, and our Wild West Web campaign has seen more than 46,000 people - including 5,457 in the north west - sign a petition to urge the Government to take action.

“Since then, the government’s Online Harms White Paper has set out new laws and measures to keep children and vulnerable groups safer online, and we once again repeat our plea to the Prime Minister and every MP to create an independent regulator and ensure social networks are held accountable for abuse.

“Most importantly, we call on the government to do everything in their power to stop online abuse and prevent the deaths of vulnerable young people in future."

To find out more about the Wild West Web campaign, click here.

Helplines and websites

Samaritans (116 123) samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org , write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA and visit www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.

For support for people feeling suicidal, if you are concerned about someone or if you are bereaved by suicide see http://shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk

CALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalmzone.net has a helpline is for men who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support. They're open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year.

Greater Manchester Bereavement Service Greater Manchester Bereavement Service can help to find support for anyone in Greater Manchester that has been bereaved or affected by a death. No one needs to feel alone as they deal with their grief. www.greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk

Childline (0800 1111 ) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.

PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.

Beat Eating Disorders: Beat provides helplines for adults and young people offering support and information about eating disorders. These helplines are free to call from all phones. Adult Helpline: 0808 801 0677, Studentline: 0808 801 0811, Youthline: 0808 801 0711. www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Anorexia & Bulimia Care: ABC provide on-going care, emotional support and practical guidance for anyone affected by eating disorders, those struggling personally and parents, families and friends. Helpline: 03000 11 12 13. www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk/

Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying studentsagainstdepression.org

For information and links to charities and organisations that can help with substance abuse, visit https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/drugs/