David Brown (pictured with his dog Bailey) allegedly faced ‘immense pressure’ from the Department of Work and Pensions

An 18-year-old football fan who was 'desperate for the perfect job' killed himself after being 'belittled' by Jobcentre staff, an inquest has heard.

David Brown allegedly faced such ‘immense pressure’ from the Department of Work and Pensions to find work that it became too much.

Shortly before taking his life on the day he was due to sign on, the teenager from from Middlesbrough told his mother: ‘The way the Jobcentre treat people, it is no surprise people commit suicide.’

Mr Brown was a Middlesbrough season ticket holder since the age of 11, and fans of the Premier League club held a minute’s applause for him after he died.

He had once dreamed of joining the Army, but was searching for an apprenticeship after finishing a welding course and had been ‘actively’ looking for work ahead of his death in October.

At one stage, much to his delight, he even landed his first job - only to be crushed after he was ‘scammed’ out of his wage, Teesside Coroner's Court was told.

It was this desire to work which led to his sister Grace telling the hearing: ‘He didn’t want to be a burden. He tried hard to look for work.’

Middlesbrough fan: Mr Brown (bottom right, with his family) allegedly faced such ‘immense pressure’ from the Department of Work and Pensions to find work that it became too much

But Jobcentre staff allegedly told him to do more to find work to avoid having his money stopped. His difficulties became clear the day before his body was found.

‘He was having a laugh at Sunday dinner,’ recalled Grace. ‘He said he was having a hard time from a woman at the dole. He said she was rude and belittled him.’

His brother Adam found his body after looking through the letterbox because he could not get inside. Acting Senior Coroner Clare Bailey ruled he took his own life.

The DWP has previously told how it has held at least 49 peer reviews in Britain, launched when suicide or alleged suicide is ‘associated with a DWP activity’.

After Mr Brown died, his sister Jenna said: ‘He was an adventurous teenager who will be remembered for his humour, kindness and courage.

‘He was full of energy and had a zest for life. He still had so much to offer as a kind young man and we are all proud to call him a son, brother, grandson and friend.

‘He made the world warmer and he will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.’

And, speaking about the former Eston Park and Normanby Primary pupil’s support for his beloved Boro, his brother Adam said: ‘He was passionate about every game.

Concerns: Shortly before taking his life on the day he was due to sign on, he told his mother: 'The way the Jobcentre treat people, it is no surprise people commit suicide' (file picture)

‘I remember on the last day of the season we were running round the Riverside, it was just a mint feeling being there celebrating with him.’

Leader of the House David Lidington announced today that he would ask the DWP to take a fresh look at the case after a request from Redcar MP Anna Turley.

At Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Lidington said: ‘Clearly human beings in any organisation sometimes take decisions that get things wrong.

‘And I will ask the Work and Pensions Department to have a look at the particular case she has described.’

The decision comes after Ms Turley told the Commons: ‘Will the Leader of the House undertake a review into this individual case?

‘Will he also undertake to take stock of six years of brutal welfare reform and look at the way the DWP treats its most vulnerable constituents?’

A DWP spokesman told MailOnline today: 'Our thoughts are with Mr Brown’s family at this difficult time.

'Suicide is a very complex issue and there is no evidence of a link between Mr Brown’s suicide and his interaction with Jobcentre Plus.'