A "very caring" Bury teenager who loved sport may not have intended to take his own life, an inquest has heard.

Harley Whittle, 15, was found unresponsive in woodland in Bury on Friday, July 8 after going out with friends.

An inquest into his death at Rochdale Coroner’s Court on Tuesday heard that Harley, who was a student at St Gabriel’s RC High School, did not return to his home in Bury that evening.

His mother went out to look for him at 10.30pm and used tracking software on her mobile phone.

Harley was described as a very active young man who loved sport and was a black belt in karate.

He was a daredevil and his favourite subject at school was PE.

His mother Pippa Whittle said: “He was the class clown and often wound up the teachers, but it was nothing serious or malicious.”

Ms Whittle did suspect Harley may have been suffering from ADHD as he struggled to concentrate in school.

On March 30 this year, Ms Whittle had a phone consultation with GP, Dr Ahmed Ali, from Tower Family Healthcare in Bury where she discussed her son's potential ADHD and concerns that Harley could be academically younger than his age group.

His mum had also noticed a cut on his forearm in January which was thought to be self-harm marks but Harley said that it was caused due to a rope burn from walking his dog.

Harley had never harmed himself before and he had a good relationship with his mum and sister, therefore there were no concerns raised about it.

Daniel Stewart, deputy head of St Gabriel’s and the lead for safeguarding at the school, said: “Harley was a very caring, active, fun and lovely young man.”

He said Harley’s disruption in school was only minor and that he enjoyed being on report as it was something positive, he could bring home to his mum.

The school also said they noticed scratches on his forearm on March 8 this year but again Harley said this occurred while walking his dog and there was no reason to doubt that this was a plausible account.

Mr Stewart said students were able to approach staff to talk about issues they had, however Harley never did.

The inquest was told that Harley’s cause of death was due to hanging and a toxicology report found that there was no signs of drug or alcohol in his body.

Paris Thompson, team leader for Bury child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) at the time of the incident, spoke about the referral made about ADHD that came from the GP.

She said he was screened for the condition and autism.

In terms of possible self-harm, CAMHS decided that it was a historic incident and therefore did not need an assessment.

Area Coroner for Manchester North, Catherine McKenna, pointed out that the referral never indicated that the self-harm was historic and asked her why the mental health referral was not taken further immediately.

Ms Thompson said that with hindsight she would have dealt with it differently.

Police Detective Inspector Nicola Hopkinson was on duty on Saturday, July 9.

She said that CCTV footage was recovered that showed Harley walking towards the woods the evening and that he seemed fine.

She also said that his phone was recovered and there were no text messages that were concerning, and no note of intent was found near his body.

Ms McKenna accepted that Harley did hang himself that evening but told the court that the evidence did not meet the conclusion that he had intended to end his life.

She said: “After leaving friends on Friday evening he was in good spirits, he had plans for his mother’s birthday the next week and to see his friends days later.

“I don’t think he planned to end his life that night and I am satisfied that Harley wasn’t experiencing thoughts to end his life.”

Ms McKenna recorded a conclusion of misadventure for Harley’s death.

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