Yousef Makki inquest: School boy died of stab wound to the chest

A 17-year-old grammar school pupil killed in an alleged knife attack died from a stab wound to the chest, an inquest has heard.

Yousef Makki, who dreamed of becoming a heart surgeon, was fatally injured in the incident in Hale Barns, a leafy village south of Manchester, on March 2 and later died at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

An inquest into the teenager's death opened on Tuesday at Manchester South Coroner's Court in Stockport, with brief details heard before it was adjourned.

Police coroner's officer Alison Catlow told the hearing that Home Office pathologist Dr Charles Wilson had given the provisional cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.

Yousef's parents, Deborah Makki, a psychiatric nurse, and Ghaleb Makki, a salesman, were not present at the hearing but were aware of the proceedings, the court was told.

Ms Catlow said the sixth form student at Manchester Grammar School was identified by his mother before his body was later released.

Manchester South Senior Coroner Alison Mutch said the inquest into the death of Yousef, from Burnage, would need to be adjourned for a review hearing on April 16, with a provisional date of September 12 fixed for a full hearing.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for reasons, has appeared in court charged with Yousef's murder and has been bailed to attend Manchester Crown Court next month.

Last week, hundreds of people gathered in Ardwick, Manchester, to pay their respects to Yousef at a traditional Muslim funeral service ahead of a burial ceremony.

In a statement, Yousef's family said he was an "inspiration to all" and that his "determination, wit and dedication to his family and studies were the foundations of his outstanding personality".

He is thought to have won a scholarship to attend the £12,000-a-year independent school.