A MOTHER whose son took his own life after being hounded by bullies has found happiness by marrying his father.

When 16-year-old Karl Peart took his life in June last year, no one could have believed any good could come from the tragedy.

Devastated by the loss, his mother, Sonya, sank into depression, and eventually split up from Karl's stepfather, Ian Peart, earlier this year.

But unexpectedly, Karl's biological father, Brian Hiatt, got back in touch and the couple, united in their grief, fell in love again.

On Saturday, they were married at Sunderland Register Office before flying to Paris for a honeymoon.

Mrs Hiatt, 44, from Sunderland, said: "Looking back, I could never have believed this could have happened.

"Brian saw the publicity following Karl's death. He had been trying to find us for years, so he was finally able to find me.

"It had been ten years since I saw him, but over the months we helped each other through the worst times and gradually fell in love."

Karl, from Lynemouth, near Ashington, Northumberland, was found dead after taking an overdose of painkillers.

He had been bullied since he was four years old and continued to be victimised after his family moved from Tyneside to Northumberland five years ago.

In separate incidents, he was allegedly assaulted on a school outing and attacked and knocked off his bike in his home village.

In a poignant farewell note released by his mother following the inquest, he wrote: "Mam, I'm sorry I did this. I am not a nice person. I'm sorry I didn't live up to expectations. I really love you and I'll never leave your side."

Earlier this year, the Karl Peart Award was founded by Durham County Council to be given to the North-East youngster who has done most to prevent bullying in his or her school.

A painting of Karl's hand, which he made only hours before taking his own life, is being used as the symbol of an anti-bullying campaign and is on posters in schools across the country.

Mrs Hiatt said: "I know Karl will be looking down on us and I know that this is what he would have wanted, his mum and dad getting back together."