A SCHOOLBOY who died after taking an overdose was not a victim of bullying, a coroner ruled yesterday.

Thomas Welsh, 11, who was also known by the surname Thompson, died on July 2 after taking a lethal dose of coproxamol painkillers at his Wallasey home.

In the days after his death, mother Sandra Thompson, of Beechcroft Road, blamed bullies for her son's death, claiming pupils at Wallasey School had made his life a misery.

But Wirral coroner Christopher Johnson yesterday said he was satisfied Thomas was not being picked on.

He said: "There is no evidence to suggest that he took an overdose to end his own life and tragically, the full circumstances of what happened will never be known.

"He had been taking these tablets at least 24 hours before he died. There is clear evidence that he took an additional amount of coproxamol tablets in the hours leading up to his death.

"He may have been experimenting and not understood the effects of what would happen."

The inquest also quashed rumours circulating in the days after Thomas's death that he had been the victim of abuse by his mother and stepfather.

Anonymous letters had been sent to the police making allegations about the schoolboy's home life.

The inquest was told that Mrs Thompson had previously been cautioned by police for assaulting her eight-year-old daughter Alexandra, Thomas's half-sister.

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Leeman said: "Allegations were made about Thomas's unhappy home life. We found no evidence that Thomas was being subjected to bullying in the home."

The coroner said: "The circumstances surrounding Thomas's death gave rise to a lot of rumour, innuendo and allegations, but a full and thorough investigation found no evidence of bullying at school or abuse at home."

Mrs Thompson found her son collapsed on his bed on July 2.

Empty packets of coproxamol tablets were found in his bedroom. He died of massive liver damage caused by the tablets.

After the inquest Mrs Thompson still insisted her son had been bullied at school. She said: "Yes, I slapped my son and shouted at him when he needed discipline. What mother doesn't?

"But these allegations of abuse have been very hurtful. Thomas told me he was being bullied, that is why he wouldn't go to school.

"No one knows what I am going through, I've lost my son."

His dad, Andrew Welsh, 34, from Newton le Willows, said: "We will never know why this happened but it was clear he was happy at school and he did enjoy his life."

Wirral director of education Howard Cooper said: "Wallasey School has a long tradition of strong pastoral care for its pupils.

"The school had given considerable sup-port to Thomas and were totally shocked by his death. They, too, have extended their deep sympathy to Thomas's family and will be consulting the family on a suitable memorial."

Verdict: Open.