A York couple must go on waiting to learn the truth about their son's death at a young offenders' institution.

A full inquest was due to take place at Harrogate yesterday into the death of 17-year-old Kirk Edwards, who was found hanging in his cell at Wetherby Young Offenders' Institution last May.

But Coroner Jeremy Cave heard extensive arguments from a barrister for Kirk's parents, Davie and Irene Edwards, that the inquest should be adjourned because three "significant" witnesses were not available to be questioned.

The coroner eventually rejected these arguments but subsequently adjourned the hearing after the barrister, Nick Stanage, revealed that he would not be able to attend today if the case ran into a second day.

Mr Edwards, of Lucas Avenue, Clifton, said afterwards he did not care how long it took, provided a full and fair hearing was eventually held. "All we want is a fair hearing. We don't care about the delay," he said.

He also hoped that it would be possible, when the inquest is resumed, for the three witnesses - two prison officers and a pathologist - to be called to give evidence.

Kirk Edwards, who had severe learning difficulties, was sent to the institution by Selby Magistrates for a series of offences. He was found hanging in his cell two days after arriving at the institution, and died several days later in hospital in Harrogate.

Mr Stanage said yesterday that he wanted to question the three witnesses on behalf of the Edwards family to help establish how Kirk came to die.

"The family are concerned to hear the whole truth and to leave no stone unturned," he said.

But Mr Cave said that one of the witnesses, the first prison officer to come across Kirk hanging in his cell, was unwell, suffering from depression caused by stress, and was not fit to be called to give evidence.

He asked repeatedly why it was necessary for the pathologist and a prisons' investigating officer to be called to give evidence.

He stressed that the purpose of the inquest was not to attribute blame, but to find out how Kirk died.

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