Boy 'found hanging from bed by belt'

An eight-year-old boy from Hertfordshire whose father brought him to the UK for a good education was found hanging from his bunk bed by a belt, an inquest heard.

Rexford Boateng was discovered by his 16-year-old brother Eric suspended from the upper bunk. An inquest into his death heard that while his four siblings were doing well at school, Rexford, originally from Ghana, had educational, behavioural and emotional problems.

Rexford, of Fletcher Way, Hemel Hempstead, was described as a happy child who loved football and playing outdoors. But he did not like doing his schoolwork, with which he struggled, the inquest at the Old Courthouse in Hatfield, Herts, was told.

Giving evidence, his headteacher Sally Short of Hobletts Manor Junior School in Hemel Hempstead said: "There were a number of agencies working with Rexford. Sometimes his behaviour could be disruptive within the classroom. If he found something difficult, sometimes he would refuse to do it."

Not long before he was found dead, on October 25 2008, he was twice seen at school with swelling to his face, she said. Although he had no particular close friends, he was a popular boy whose death had a big impact on the children at the school, Mrs Short added. "He had the most wonderful smile and he was happy," she said.

The inquest heard that Rexford's father, Joseph Boateng, had brought him, his three older sisters, and Eric, to the UK in 2005. His mother could not get a visa and so remained in Ghana, where she subsequently died - although Rexford was never told of her death.

Giving evidence, Mr Boateng said he came to the UK because he wanted his children to have a good education. But although he valued learning very highly, Rexford did not want to learn, the inquest heard. Mr Boateng said he had been in contact with social services about ways to help his son.

Not long before he died, Rexford had been seen at school with a £20 note, which was then given to his family by the school. The family, who were tight-knit, were going to have a meeting about this incident. But before this could happen, the child was found dead in the afternoon while his father, who worked nights, was sleeping.

He was taken to Watford General Hospital where doctors tried for 45 minutes to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead. Giving evidence, consultant paediatrician Dr Amanda Equi said: "His neck was swollen and I could see a ligature mark on the neck. He had no other injuries."

Coroner Edward Thomas recorded a verdict of accidental death but suggested more could have been done to help Rexford.