A ‘loving and protective’ teenager thanked his teacher 'for everything' before going home and tragically taking his own life because of exam stress, an inquest has heard.

Harry Aso Mohammad, known as Adam, was 16 when he died on June 8 while in the middle of his GCSE exams.

An inquest at Accrington Town Hall heard how the Blackburn Central High School pupil did not sit his English Language exam on the morning before his death.

He went in to see the pastoral manager of the school, Gary Chinery, and thanked him for everything, before going home at lunchtime.

His step-sister had come back to the family home in North Road, Blackburn, at about 4.40pm and was calling him but he did not respond. It was then that his body was found.

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In a statement from Adam’s mother, Christina Richardson, and read by Coroner Laura Fox, she spoke of how her ‘strong and protective’ son had been struggling with his exams, and was suffering from mood swings because of this.

The statement said: “I can’t understand why Adam has done this.

“I just wasn’t expecting it at all. It’s been a big shock to me.

“Over the last few months, Abam had been very angry and was punching walls.

“I felt recently he really started to calm down.

“I don’t believe Adam had any issues at school with anyone, he was very popular.”

Adam wanted to go into construction like his father, Aso Mohammed Ibrahim, but found out he needed to get particular grades in his English and Maths, so he began to study very hard for his exams, causing him a great deal of stress.

Adam had also struggled with bullying and previously self-harmed, and there were reports from the safeguarding team at his school about concerns with suicidal thoughts.

Adam’s friends, who were not named due to their age, said they never had any concerns about him but knew he had been very stressed about his GCSEs.

Pastoral lead, Gary Chinery, said he had no concerns about Adam and he came across as a happy teenager.

Dr Brendan Tilwell said that Adam’s medical cause of death was ligature compression.

Returning a conclusion of suicide, the coroner said: “It’s clear to me that Adam was a much loved, son, brother, step brother and friend.

“It’s also clear to me Adam was making plans for his future.

“Up until recently, he hadn’t been very focussed on his exams but needed the grades to start constriction at college which is what he wanted to do.”

Following the inquest, Shanaz Hussain, headteacher at Blackburn Central High School, said: "Adam was a well-loved member of our school community.

"He had a great sense of humour and would often entertain his friendship group.

"In his five years at BCHS he grew into a confident, friendly and kind hearted young man and developed some unforgettable bonds with both staff and students.

"He will always be remembered by our BCHS family."

If you are struggling with your mental health, call Samaritans on 116 123.