Asad Khan was found dead after he started secondary school in September last year
A police investigation into the death of an 11-year-old schoolboy found hanged in his bedroom did not find any direct evidence he had been bullied, an inquest heard.
Asad Khan was discovered after his mother Farheen Khan forced her way into his bedroom just weeks after he started secondary school in September last year.
Today, an inquest into Asad’s death opened after a series of pre-hearing reviews in which his family had said they had lost faith in the investigation.
His parents claimed Asad died after he was bullied at Beckfoot Upper Heaton school, Bradford.
They also said the youngster had told friends he was ‘being bullied’ in the days before his death and had ‘tears coming from his eyes’ when he left a local mosque.
During a series of pre-inquest hearings his family said they had ‘lost faith in this inquest’ system and asked for the coroner Martin Fleming to step down.
The family subsequently stormed out of the fifth pre-inquest review at Bradford Coroner’s court in August.
Coroner Martin Fleming told the court today: ‘This is the inquest in to the sad and tragic death of Asad Khan.
‘The family have been notified of the proceedings.
His mother Farheen Khan forced her way into his bedroom at their house (above). His parents claimed Asad died after he was bullied at Beckfoot Upper Heaton school, Bradford
‘The family do not wish to engage in these proceedings, however they are very welcome should they wish to attend.
‘It is with a very heavy heart I must proceed with the inquest in their absence.’
Bradford Coroner’s Court was told Asad had incorrectly purchased the wrong uniform for his first day at school and was told he had made a mistake when he arrived.
He was one of only three children to attend the school that he had attended primary school with.
In a statement read to the court on behalf of his family, they said: ‘Asad is the first of four children.
‘Asad got his fifth choice of school and was unlucky with his preferences.
‘He had heard on the grapevine that Beckfoot Upper Heaton was ‘notorious for bullying’ and he was very nervous to start secondary school.
‘Sadly the assistant [at the school uniform shop] sold us a uniform for the wrong school.
During a series of pre-inquest hearings his family said they had ‘lost faith in this inquest’ system and asked for the coroner Martin Fleming to step down
‘When we arrived they told us we were at the wrong school and we had to get a new one.
‘Asad’s character is such while he is suffering, he would never complain to anybody.’
However, despite suggestions Asad had been bullied in the weeks leading up to his death, DS Matthew Holdsworth from West Yorkshire Police told the inquest no evidence of bullying was discovered following a thorough investigation.
Addressing DS Holdsworth, the coroner asked: ‘There have been concerns that Asad was being bullied that began a major investigation, was there any evidence that Asad was being bullied?’
DS Holdsworth answered: ‘No sir, nothing of that nature.
‘Several people said Asad had been bullied but accounts have changed over time and CCTV images have contradicted statements given by students.
Bradford Coroner’s Court was told Asad had incorrectly purchased the wrong uniform for his first day at school and was told he had made a mistake when he arrived
‘Any concerns that Asad had been physically pushed were also discounted by CCTV.’
Martin Fleming then questioned DS Holdsworth about concerns Asad from Bradford, West Yorkshire, had been completing other students’ homework.
This was again discounted with ‘all pieces of homework accounted for’ after a thorough investigation.
DS Holdsworth told the coroner there was no evidence to suggest that Asad had been bullied during his time at the school.
Ruth Skelton, consultant pediatrician at Bradford Royal Infirmary Hospital, told the court this afternoon she had been told by the 11-year-old’s parents he was worried about starting secondary school.
However, she said there was nothing recorded in concern for Asad prior to his death.
However, despite suggestions Asad had been bullied in the weeks leading up to his death, DS Matthew Holdsworth from West Yorkshire Police told the inquest no evidence of bullying was discovered following a thorough investigation
Asad’s family and Ruth Bundey, legal representative for the family, were not in attendance at the inquest today.
Speaking on behalf of the family after today’s hearing concluded, spokesperson Fatima Patel said: ‘The family are very disappointed.
‘At the last pre-inquest review it was reported the coroner was going to write to invite them to attend, but this sadly hasn’t happened.
‘If he would have written to the family, they say they would be obligated as law abiding citizens to appear as witnesses.
‘They believe the whole inquiry has gone in the wrong direction.
‘The key witnesses have been disregarded by the coroner.
‘The coroner refers to the inquest as a limited scope inquiry but when the coroner doesn’t want to hear what happened, what is the point in them attending?’
The hearing, which is due to last three days, was adjourned until Tuesday October 17.