Lauren Hewson Family Condemns Police Closure of Rape Investigation as Injustice
The family of Lauren Hewson, an 18-year-old apprentice who died by suicide after alleging she was raped at her workplace, has condemned the closure of the police investigation as a "huge miscarriage of justice". An inquest into Miss Hewson's death heard that she had been sexually assaulted and raped while working at BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, by a staff member no longer employed by the company.
Cumbria Police confirmed a man was arrested and released on bail, but no charges were pursued due to the case not meeting the evidential threshold. The force stated its investigation continued after Miss Hewson's death in August 2025 but concluded earlier this month, with the family informed subsequently.
Bethany Hewson, Lauren's sister, stated: "What we are feeling at the minute is a huge miscarriage of justice, not only legally in terms of the perpetrator walking free, but by the failings of her employer to protect a vulnerable young girl - she was still a child."
The inquest at Cumbria Coroner's Court heard Miss Hewson joined BAE Systems in 2023. Her family observed a significant change in her behaviour from June last year, noting she became withdrawn, isolated herself, and experienced drastic weight loss. She later confided in her family about the abuse, leading to police notification.
On 28th July last year, her 18th birthday, Miss Hewson attempted to take her own life and was admitted to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary. She was discharged after reassuring medical staff she would not self-harm further. A week later, she was found unresponsive in her bedroom and pronounced dead by emergency services.
Assistant Coroner Robert Cohen ruled that Miss Hewson died by suicide. He acknowledged the family's position that "had it not been for those incidents, Lauren would not have died." Her mother, Helen Bamber, stated that Lauren "believed her life had been ruined, she just could not see a way out."
The family also criticised BAE Systems, arguing Miss Hewson was "not properly safeguarded." Her sister added: "If Lauren had the correct support in the workplace to fit with her needs, then she may have felt brave enough to speak out and report what was going on, but sadly she didn't have that chance." BAE Systems maintained it has "rigorous safeguarding procedures to support and protect apprentices" and that these are "regularly reviewed to ensure they align with regulatory guidance and are benchmarked against best practice."
