Methadone tot family's new tragedy as boy hangs himself

A SECOND tragedy has struck the family of two-year-old methadone victim Derek Doran after his 11-year-old uncle was found dead.

Nicholas Woods was found hanged in the garden of his family home in Prestonpans on Saturday afternoon. Police today said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

It was reported today that Nicholas was grounded by his parents last week after he was caught shoplifting and drinking in the East Lothian town by police.

Nicholas attended St Gabriel's Primary School in Prestonpans.

His older brother Derek Doran senior, 24, is the father of tragic toddler Derek junior, who died in December 2005 after drinking his parents' methadone.

Nicholas' parents Derek and Katy were today being comforted by family and friends.

A family friend was reported as saying: "Nicholas was a lovely boy.

"He had an outgoing wee personality and no-one can take this in.

"It is shocking that a boy his age would do something like this."

A police spokesman said: "We can confirm we are investigating the death of an 11-year-old-boy at a house in the Prestonpans area on Saturday afternoon.

"A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."

A neighbour of the Woods family was reported as saying: "We are all cut up. This is a close-knit community. The parents are in pieces.

"He was a lovely wee boy and always smiling.

"He was well-liked by everyone in the area. It is difficult to take it all in."

Derek Doran died just two weeks after his second birthday, in a case which shocked Scotland.

The toddler was found dead in his bed by his 27-year-old mother Lisa Dodds at their home in Elphinstone, near Tranent.

It is thought he drank the green-coloured heroin substitute, prescribed to his parents, thinking it was a soft drink.

Derek was rushed to Edinburgh's Royal Hospital for Sick Children, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Dad Derek senior and mum Lisa Dodds, 27, had faced murder charges over the death, having been accused of feeding the toddler with heroin substitute methadone, but the court action was later dropped.