76171-49MOTHER Joanna Stump says she is being kept in the dark over her son's death from a suspected heroin overdose. Nicholas Miles was found dead in a field in September.

The 25-year-old had been in and out of prison, and was a regular heroin user.

But five months after his death, Mrs Stump, from Swindon, says she is none the wiser as to what actually happened to him.

And she has not ruled out suspicious circumstances.

His body was discovered by two boys in a den on the outskirts of Cirencester, where Nick had been living with various friends.

Forensic investigators believe his body had been there for several days.

Mrs Stump, 45, is furious at the way the case has been handled by Gloucestershire police.

"I've buried my son and grieved for him, but now I want to know what happened and nobody's coming up with any answers," said the mother-of-three.

"I feel that the police are pushing Nick's case under the carpet as I have not had a word from them in months.

"Whenever I call there is no one there, and they don't respond to my messages."

The last time she heard from the police was to inform her that tests had revealed a large quantity of heroin and other drugs in Nick's body.

"But I can't see Nick overdosing," said Mrs Stump.

"Hand on heart I believe he died elsewhere and was dumped in that field because I understand the drug paraphernalia they found was very little.

"There is something suspicious about his death.

"Someone knows something, and now I want to know what happened."

Nick had only been out of prison for a few weeks when he died.

"He had been in trouble, but had a good heart," said Mrs Stump.

"He wanted to get rid of all his problems and start again."

His death came during an already traumatic weekend for his family.

Mrs Stump's son Scott Woodward was the victim of an attack in Swindon town centre.

She was leaving the Great Western Hospital when the call came saying her other son was dead.

The officer investigating Nick's death was unavailable for comment. However, a police spokesman said: "Obviously we are sorry Mrs Stump does not feel she is being kept up to date with this case.

"We will speak to her in due course, but at the moment the case is in the hands of the

coroner."

The Cheltenham coroner's office said no date had yet been set for an inquest.

Tamash Lal