THE PARENTS of a Swindon schoolboy with dyslexia and other learning difficulties say they had to fight for eight years to get their son the specialist care he needed, leaving him so depressed that he became suicidal.

They believe the council's failure to cater for his special educational needs has set him back years and left him with ongoing mental health problems.

The Local Government Ombudsman has upheld much of their complaint, finding Swindon Council guilty of maladministration causing injustice to the boy in question who is now 14.

It is the first time such a complaint has been upheld by Swindon Council since it was formed in 1997.

The family have chosen to remain anonymous, but today issued a statement reflecting their anger at the way their son, referred to as John, was treated.

It states: "John's memories of mainstream school are negative ones because of his experiences of constant failure, unable to cope or learn, and also bullying. He suffered severe emotional distress of such depth that he needed counselling through the child psychiatric service from November 1999 onwards."

The family believes John's problems go back to inadequate provision from when he first started at primary school.

But their complaint to the Ombudsman refers specifically to delays in getting help John needed after he started at secondary school in September 1999.

Ombudsman Jerry White's report described the child as being in deep despair, to the point of becoming suicidal, after he was put into a secondary school where he couldn't keep up with lessons.

It also states that an unnamed education officer falsely accused his mother in a written report of emotionally abusing him.

The council later apologised.

Council spokeswoman Lynda Fleming said today: "Since the formation of the new Swindon Council there have been 122 complaints to the ombudsman.

"This is the first complaint where the finding has been that the council did not act correctly.

"Councillors will shortly consider the report and give their response."

The ombudsman has recommended that the council pays £1,000 to Mr and Mrs Warwick, as well as £1,500 towards the cost of private educational needs assessments the couple arranged.