13-year-old's bedroom death may have been a "cry for help" (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

13-year-old's bedroom death may have been a "cry for help"

8:00am Saturday 8th September 2012 in News By Ashley Barnard, Reporter (Richmond)

A POPULAR schoolboy who loved sport and had ambitions to become a jockey was found hanged in his bedroom by his teacher father, an inquest was told.

Coroner Rob Turnbull said he could not be certain 13-year-old Dominic Meacher intended to take his life and that his actions may have been a “cry for help”.

His father Richard Meacher, a PE teacher at Richmond School, in North Yorkshire, where Dominic attended with his brother, Jason, said the family had been looking forward to an upcoming holiday and had tickets for the Olympics.

He died on April 22 at the family home near Richmond.

Mr Meacher told the inquest he and his wife, Alison, adopted Dominic and Jason, 15, in 2005 after fostering them for six months.

He said that on the night of the tragedy, Dominic had been sent to his room to finish his maths homework – a subject he did not enjoy.

Mrs Meacher said that Dominic did not like to dwell on his life before his adoption because it made him sad and confused – and sometimes did things without thinking of the consequences.

She said: “We don’t believe he meant to end his life that night – he would have thought we would be there to save him.”

Her husband added: “A recent text from Dominic said he ‘felt confused inside his head’.

“Dominic was a lovely boy who loved sport and loved doing things outside.

“If you met him you would remember him – he always had a smiling face and kind words for people.”

He played rugby, football and cricket for school teams, and although not confident with academic subjects, he enjoyed school and had 100 per cent attendance in his first year.

“Dominic had recently discovered a love of horse riding, and when he wasn’t having a lesson he wanted to be at the stables helping out and caring for horses,”

added Mr Meacher.

“We took him to Middleham and discussed how he could make it his career and become a jockey.”

Recording an open verdict, Mr Turnbull said: “I am sure Dominic would not have realised how easily his actions could have caused his death. It could well have been a cry for help.”