TRIBUTES have been paid to an 18-year-old Stonyhurst College student who has died at his home in Holland Jules de Maes Janssens took his own life at his home in Joppa last month — a year after his mum Jacqueline’s sudden death, his family said.

His father Christiaan, who found Jules in the family home in Joppe, said: “He was highly intelligent, quiet and observing and he was very interested in sport and really liked to play rugby and tennis.

“It has been a very difficult time for all of his family and friends and we still can’t believe that he has gone.

"I am now trying to take care of my eldest son and it is hard but we have had much support from our family.

“Jules was very happy at Stonyhurst and he was there amongst his friends and they took care of him over the last year.

"We did not realise the effect his mother’s death had on him and we are very sad at this time.”

Jules was studying theology, biology and history A-levels at the Hurst Green boarding school and was planning to continue studying law and philosophy in Amsterdam.

Jules’ mother died a day after his 17th birthday from an aortic diss-ection on August 4, last year.

Bosses at Stonyhurst College desc-ribed his death as a ‘tragedy’ and said they were ‘devastated’.

A commemorative service will be held by the school.

A spokeswomen for said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”

His funeral was held on August 26 in his home town and the family are planning a memorial event for his friends in Holland.