A 'SENSITIVE' teenager hanged himself with a judo belt after arguing with his father over plans to join the army, an inquest heard.

Thomas James Hamer, a pupil at St Mary's High School, Lugwardine, was found by his mother hanging from a beam in the loft of his Ullingswick home.

Paramedics rushed him to hospital in Hereford with a police escort but he died from asphyxiation later that evening.

He did not leave a suicide note but police decided there were no suspicious circumstances.

The 15-year-old was keen to join the armed forces, county coroner David Halpern heard, but had disagreed with his father over the plans.

Thomas had spoken to a local GP about the conflict. She said that he seemed 'upset but not depressed' and at 'low risk of self-harm' and recommended him for counselling.

But Dr Frank McGinty, who carried out the post mortem, found small partly-healed cuts on Thomas' forearms, consistent with somebody who had slashed their wrists.

On the day of his death, his mother was concerned that there was no music coming from his bedroom so went to investigate and found her son in the loft still dressed in his school uniform.

In recording a verdict that Thomas took his own life, Mr Halpern said that he had a 'good and exciting life to look forward to' but 'sadly it seemed that he had had problems - particularly regarding his intention and wish to join the army'. Mr Halpern called it a 'tragic death'.

Speaking after the inquest, Thomas' father - who had not given evidence - claimed that he had, in fact, signed his son's army application form and pointed out that Thomas had suffered from 'girlfriend problems and exam worries'.

He criticised Mr Halpern for not hearing his evidence, saying 'so much for British justice.'