A York teenager with severe learning difficulties died today, four days after hanging himself at a young offenders institution.

Kirk Edwards, 17, of Lucas Avenue, Clifton - who was sent to the Wetherby institution by a youth court last Monday after admitting a string of offences - died last night in Harrogate District Hospital.

He had been critically ill on life support equipment since he was discovered hanging in his cell last Wednesday evening.

Staff, who found him hanging by his boot laces, which had been tied to the cell window, tried to resuscitate him before he was rushed to hospital.

Kirk's parents, Irene and David, have criticised the decision of Selby Youth Court to send him to an institution, and also the way he was able to hang himself in his cell.

Mr Edwards said he wanted a full Home Office inquiry into how his son was able to hang himself. "He was no angel and deserved to be punished for what he did, but not with his life. I want to know why he died."

Mrs Edwards said that in dying, their son might help five other people to live because he had given vital organs for transplant including heart, kidney and liver.

She added that he was not a heavy drug user and had been found in possession of just 1.2 grammes of cannabis resin.

The Edwards praised medical staff at Harrogate, saying they had battled endlessly to save their son's life.

"They were absolute angels. They were fantastic. They fought really hard to save him," said Mr Edwards.

The teenager, whom the Evening Press has been unable to name previously for legal reasons, admitted ten offences, including the aggravated taking of a vehicle without the owners' consent, driving without a licence and without insurance, handling stolen property and possession of a controlled drug.

His solicitor, Lucy Byrne, asked magistrates to give him probation, partly because of his learning difficulties, and told the Evening Press she believed the decision to send him to the institution was harsh.

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