What happened to Jerome Rogers, when was his suicide and how much debt was he in?
An account of the 20-year-old's mounting desperation is given in a drama airing on BBC Three
THE story of the debt-ridden courier who took his own life has been turned into a BBC Three drama.
Jerome Rogers was just 20 when he lost his life after he was ruthlessly pursued for the non-payment of two parking fines. But who was the tragic youngster, and how much debt was he in?
What happened to Jerome Rogers?
Motorbike courier Jerome was just 20 when he killed himself after unpaid £65 fines spiralled within months.
After bailiffs started to pursue Jerome, who lived in his family home in East Croydon, he went online and searched for ways to end his life.
He committed suicide after his only source of income - his motorcycle - was seized by bailiffs.
It later emerged that the bailiffs had not legally been allowed to clamp the bike - as it was not valuable enough to seize.
Growing up, Jerome's brother Nat told how Jerome was a kind, quiet child who loved cars, motorbikes and playing games in the woods.
Jerome was over the moon when he landed his first job working for City Sprint as a courier, transporting blood and documents to hospitals.
Nat said: "He was excited to start earning his own money and because he loved riding his motorcycle, it meant he could earn money while doing what he loved."
When was his suicide?
Jerome was found hanged in the woods close to his home on March 8, 2016.
He'd walked out of the family home the day before, texting his girlfriend to say he loved her and that she should never forget him.
Police were alerted but it was Nat who found his brother's dead body in the woods where he'd played as a child.
At the inquest in April 2017, the coroner recorded a verdict of suicide and said the bailiff from Newlyn Plc - played by Craig Parkinson from Line Of Duty in the drama - had behaved reasonably.
How much debt was Jerome in?
Jerome's debt had spiralled to more than £1,000 within months of not paying two £65 fines.
His total debt of £1,019 included non-payment penalties and fees for the use of bailiffs.
As a zero hours contract worker with severe asthma - meaning he couldn't always work during the winter months - he earned between just £38 and £89 a week.
Rogers had applied for several payday loans to try to clear the debt.
His mum's partner, Bentley Duncan, paid off £500 of the debt, but Jerome didn't know how to clear the rest and took the drastic decision to end his own life.
STOP THE CREDIT RIP OFF
What has Jerome's mum said about the tragedy?
Jerome's tragedy has been turned into a factual BBC Three drama, Killed By My Debt, which airs on May 30, 2018.
His mum Tracey Rogers said she hoped the publicity would encourage more people to speak about debt and mental health.
She told the : “It has been hard and there have been ups and downs from reliving it all, but at the end of the day, we are doing it for him.”
As well as helping to make Killed By My Debt, Tracey said that she is also working with mental health charities, Sarah Jones MP and men’s mental health charities to bring about more awareness.
If you have been affected by these issues, call the Samaritans for free on 116 123.