Tragic death of schoolboy found hanged remains mystery, inquest hears

Joshua-James Maddox, aged 15, was discovered at his home in Persehouse Street, Walsall, last year.

He attended St Thomas More Catholic School in Willenhall and his family claimed he was the victim of bullying which included verbal abuse, being punched in the chest and threatened with a knuckle duster which had been reported. They were also concerned about the education support being provided to him.

But at an inquest at Smethwick Coroner's Court the school said they were unaware of the teenager, who suffered from learning difficulties and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), being a target and had no record on their logs.

The only real incident of note had been when he stole erasers and had been grabbed by another student round the neck in the aftermath, leading to necessary punishment being carried out. They added education support was being provided.

The teenager, known as Josh who was taking medication for ADHD and also suffered from autism was previously a pupil at Deansfield School in Wolverhampton, and had to move down a year when he joined St Thomas More to complete his GCSEs.

The hearing was told he had not made any complaints of bullying. But another relative had told his mother Michelle he had been the victim of bullies and when asked he said he could deal with it himself.

On the night before he was found in dead in the bedroom in January last year he had been sent to bed early for taking food that was meant for the family meal. But had spoken to a family member at around midnight.

Black Country coroner Zafar Siddique said claims of bullying remain in dispute. He recorded an open conclusion after not being certain about the circumstances around the death.

"Given his condition he wouldn't necessarily open up and share his emotions with his family. It is not clear why he died, whether factors at school played a part.

"It may well have been a combination of factors given his background, it is very difficult for me to say why."

His mother Michelle, aged 36, said: "Josh was a character, he really, really was. He was like the class clown he always used to like to make people happy.

Speaking after the hearing she said: "Education are not going to admit their failing. He was at school getting picked on.

"What kids likes getting picked on? School days should have been the best time of his life."

St Thomas More headteacher Peter Mayland said: "St Thomas is a school where every child is known and loved, We take bullying very seriously and deal with it effectively when it is reported.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Josh. We hope that the end of this inquest process provides them with some closure."