A report into the death of Joe Lawton , 17 , who killed himself after being arrested for drink driving , has confirmed 'failings ' at the station where he was held . A report into the death of an A-grade student who killed himself days after being arrested for drink driving found 'evidence of a concerning culture ' at the police station where he was held . Joe Lawton , 17 , shot himself dead at his parent 's £850,000 home in Disley , Stockport , two days after being held at Cheadle Heath police station for drink driving . During an inquest into his death , lawyers for his parents claimed that police had mocked him for his middle class upbringing and his new car , contributing to his death . Now an Independent Police Complaints Commission report into Mr Lawton 's death , made public for the first time , confirms there were 'failings ' at Cheadle Heath police station where the teen was held . The IPCC probe , which was kept hidden from the teen 's inquest but has been revealed by the Manchester Evening News , uncovered 'evidence of a concerning culture ' at Cheadle Heath . Following the report one Greater Manchester Police sergeant was moved from custody duty due to ‘ inappropriate behaviour ’ , while another was given ‘ management advice ’ , the report says . Two custody detention officers were also subjected to sanctions as a result of the investigation , according to a copy of the IPCC report obtained by the Manchester Evening News . Mr Lawton was stopped by police in Hazel Grove in August 2012 while driving his new Peugeot 207 home from a party , just weeks after passing his test . A breathalyzer showed he was over the drink drive limit and he was arrested . Lawyers for Mr Lawton 's parents Nick and Jane ( pictured ) told an inquest their son was bullied for his middle class upbringing . The report , revealed today , found 'evidence of a concerning culture ' among police . The teen , who had recently gained one A and four Bs in his AS-Levels and was working on his university application and travel plans , was then held for seven hours overnight . But due to an 'anomaly ' in custody laws meaning 17-year-olds are treated as adults , Mr Lawton 's parents Nick and Jane were not informed of the arrest after he opted not to tell them . Two days later he was found dead at home by his father . Next to the body was the police charge sheet , and a note saying he thought he had 'ruined his life ' . His parents have since led a successful campaign to have the age limit raised to 18 , after an inquest was told Mr Lawton 's suicide could ‘ very likely ’ have been avoided if they were informed . The IPCC report , together with a response from Greater Manchester Police , were prepared in time for the inquest but were not submitted as evidence , meaning this is the first time they have been made public . Nick and Jane Lawton said the inquest was turned into a ‘ gruelling and frustrating ’ process by the police 's failure to reveal the reports . In a statement , they hit out at the ‘ behaviour and attitude of the custody officers ’ , adding : 'We love Joe and will continue to miss him every day for the rest of our lives . ' Mr Lawton 's parents were not informed that their son had been arrested in August 2012 due to an 'anomaly ' in custody laws . Parents Nick and Jane ( pictured ) have since successfully campaign to have the law changed . The IPCC said the force has said it has ‘ learned lessons and had been improving working practice ’ . Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan , who gave evidence at the inquest , said : 'Our thoughts continue to be with the family of Joseph Lawton , and we sympathise with the issues they have raised following this tragedy . 'When Joseph died in 2012 there was a confusing anomaly where the Police and Criminal Evidence act led the police to treat 17-year-olds as adults , whilst the Children ’ s Act stated that 17-year-olds should be treated as children . 'Following the case and a judicial review in 2013 the government have changed the legislation relating to 17-year-olds in custody . 'The new legislation states that when a 17-year-old is arrested they are now treated as children for the purposes of informing people about the child ’ s detention . 'While in custody Joseph made the decision that he did not want anyone to be informed of his arrest . However , if this happened today we would have informed his parents . '
Joe Lawton , 17 , killed himself after being arrested for drink driving in 2012 . Parent 's lawyers claimed police bullied him for middle class upbringing . Now report into his death confirms 'failings ' at station where he was held . Probe shows sergeant was moved from post for 'inappropriate behaviour ' Report was kept hidden from inquest , but has now been made public . If you have been affected by the issues in this story , then you can contact Samaritans on the 24 hours helpline 08457 90 90 90 , or via their website .