Boy, 13, found hanged at home after 'freak accident'

By Nick Enoch

Last updated at 3:38 PM on 4th January 2012

A 13-year-old schoolboy has died after being found hanged at his home.

Police have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances following the death of Ritchie Allsop but bullying allegations were made on a social networking site.

The youngster described as 'friendly, polite and helpful' was found unconscious in the maisonette where he lived with his family in Chapeltown, Sheffield.

Ritchie Allsop, 13, died after being found hanged at home

Attempts were made to revive Ritchie before he was rushed to hospital but he died later.

The boy's mother Lisa Brown, 39, a part-time pub supervisor, and her family are said to be devastated by her son's shock death.

Tributes poured into a Facebook page set up about Ritchie's death.

One from Aleisha Robertson said: 'Ritchie, you seemed a really nice lad, the bullies will have to live with the guilt of what they have done for the rest of their lives. Be happy where you are now R.I.P'

Another said: 'What Richard Allsop suffered should not have happened to anybody, but nobody listened to his cries for help, now it's too late to do anything about it. R.I.P Ritchie, you will be missed and loved by friends, family, and fellow holgaters.'

A message on Facebook later denied that the death had any connection with bullying.

The schoolboy was discovered unconscious at this residential block in Chapeltown, Sheffield

The post said: 'This is Lisa, Ritchie's mum. I would like to thank everyone for all their nice comments. I just want to point out that what has happened was an accident, a freak accident that took my boy from me.

'It wasn't a result of any type of bullying, my Ritchie was so much stronger than that.

'Ritchie was not bullied. or at least not to the point that this affected his life in any way, shape or form.

'My boy was such a happy, energetic child who only brought love and happiness to the people he met.

'Ritchie, I love you and miss you, you will always be with me! Always loved and never forgotten.'

Shocked neighbour Dot Smith, 69, described Ritchie as a beautiful little kid'. She said: 'Ritchie was lovely - the whole family are.

'I have known the family about a year since I moved here. They were already here. I used to see Ritchie coming in and out of the flats and if he saw me with my shopping bags, he would always carry them for me. 

'Ritchie only brought love and happiness to the people he met'

'He was really nice and friendly - really polite. We all feel terrible about his death. I will always remember him as smiling.'

Ken Rockward, 61, said: 'He was so young. You never expect people of that age to die. The last time I saw Ritchie he was outside playing with a helicopter - he always seemed happy to me. Lisa and her family are good neighbours.'

Ritchie was a pupil at Ecclesfield School. Headteacher Rob Rossides said: 'Richard Allsop joined Year 9 at Ecclesfield last November after transferring to us.

'His classmates, form tutor and head of year report him as being a very pleasant, cheerful and polite student who appeared to have settled in quickly and well.

'I am sure I speak for everyone when I say we are all shocked and saddened by the news and send our deepest condolences to his family.

'We will be considering appropriate ways to remember Richard at school - I know he will be missed greatly by his friends here.'

Tributes on Ritchie's Facebook page include one from his stepmother Linday Allsop, who described Ritchie as 'beautiful'.

She said: 'You have been taken from us far too early - we didn't even say goodbye. RIP my little man, the angels will protect you now.'

A spokesman for the Barrel Pub where Ritchie's mum has worked since September, said: 'Our deepest sympathy goes to Ritchie's family as this very sad time. We will look to provide any appropriate support.'

A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: 'Police can confirm a 13-year-old boy has died after he was found unconscious at his home on School Road, Sheffield, just after 6pm on Friday.

'He was rushed to hospital but, sadly he was pronounced dead a short time later. Police are not treating his death as suspicious.'

A post-mortem has been carried out and an inquest was expected to be opened today.

Source : dailymail

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