The teenager died believing he was going to jail, despite police restrictions having already expired.

11:43, Tue, Jan 20, 2026 Updated: 11:43, Tue, Jan 20, 2026

Tyrique Jemaa in a football kit and holding a cup

Tyrique Jemaa (Image: Supplied)

A 15-year-old boy was found dead at home after believing he had breached police bail conditions that had in fact lapsed months earlier. An inquest into his death heard heard that this was caused by a series of “administrative oversights”. Talented young footballer Tyrique Jemaa was discovered by his mother at their home on December 20, 2023, hours after being told by his school that he would be reported to police for allegedly breaching bail by bringing a mobile phone onto the premises.

The inquest at Manchester Coroner’s Court was told Tyrique and his family had never been informed that the bail conditions imposed following his arrest had expired more than two months earlier. Tyrique, who played for Wythenshawe Amateurs and was described as “active, intelligent and full of life”, was arrested on June 30, 2023, and released on police bail with a number of restrictions, including a ban on accessing electronic devices such as mobile phones.

a sign pointing at Manchester's coroner's court

The inquest was heard at Manchester Coroner’s Court (Image: MEN)

Those conditions automatically lapsed after three months on October 1, but neither Tyrique nor his family were told, the Manchester Evening News reports.

Coroner Zac Golumbeck heard that while Greater Manchester Police informed Tyrique’s solicitors, Tuckers, on November 15 that his bail had elapsed, this information was not passed on to the family.

As a result, Tyrique continued to believe he was bound by the original conditions and was instead technically “released under investigation”, a separate legal status.

On the day of his death, Tyrique was found with a phone in the school canteen at Dixons Brooklands Academy in Wythenshawe.

The phone was confiscated, and Tyrique explained it belonged to his brother and that he had intended to return it. His mother, Sue-Ellen Spence, told the inquest she was contacted by the school and informed the incident would be reported to police as a breach of bail.

She said she was deeply concerned, assuming her son could face serious consequences. The inquest heard the school itself had not been told the bail conditions had expired and believed Tyrique remained subject to restrictions.

Tyrique returned home after school with a friend and appeared normal, according to his sister, Amira Jemaa, who said he was “messing about” and laughing.

However, she told the court that earlier he had mentioned a teacher telling him he would be “going to prison” and “going away for a long time”.

“I’m not sure if he was joking or serious,” she said. “He was laughing when he said it, but it died down a bit. I would say he was a little bit worried, but he didn’t show emotion.”

Friends later told Amira that Tyrique appeared subdued at school that day, keeping his head down in class. Despite this, she said she had no concerns when she saw him at home.

Tyrique was later found dead by his mother when she returned from work. A handwritten note discovered on the staircase read: “Fake smiles every day was already killing me.”

The inquest heard that Tyrique and his mother had attended a police station on October 1, the very day his bail expired, and were told to return in the new year.

This led them to believe the bail had been extended, although no inspector had authorised any extension, as would have been legally required.

Detective Inspector Gary Kelly, who led a special procedure investigation into the death, told the court he only became aware two days later that the family had not been informed the bail conditions had ended.

He described an “administrative oversight” and confirmed that an email from the school referencing a potential breach had been sent to the officer handling Tyrique’s case.

The inquest heard that Tuckers solicitors had chased police twice for clarity on Tyrique’s bail status.

A legal representative for the firm said it was the responsibility of police to inform suspects, and potentially their families, when bail conditions lapse.

Greater Manchester Police, however, said at the time it was “sufficient” to notify the legal team and that this approach was compliant with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.

The coroner stressed that Tyrique had not been charged with any offence at the time of his death, and the nature of his original arrest was not disclosed in court.

In a tribute read aloud, Tyrique’s family described him as a “curious, loving and fun child” with a natural talent for sport and art. “He loved being around his family,” they said.

“Tyrique loved any form of physical activity. He was always the fastest in his year and proudly showed off his trophies and medals.”

They described him as a prankster at home, a “daredevil” willing to try anything once, and a boy who took pride in his appearance. “Tyrique was, and still is, loved by his family and friends,” the tribute said.

“The biggest hole has been left in our hearts that can never be fixed.”

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The inquest continues.

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